Disappointing News

I found out today that my piece Last Tree Standing has NOT been selected for an exhibit to be shown at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Carrefour Europeén du Patchwork in Alsace, France.

Last Tree Standing
2014
25cm x 100cm
assorted fabrics, hand applique
 machine stitched,
metal staples
Afghanistan embroidery

The idea for this exhibit was to select from a web site a hand-embroidered leaf made by Afghani women and integrate it into a textile piece. The length had to be 4 X the width. It was open to EU participants only. I was able to apply through my Italian citizenship.

The idea I had at the beginning changed when I saw how large the embroideries were. (green leaves)

Last Tree Standing
detail

The commercial fabric I used as a background had the shadows of trees. It looked to me like a war torn area in a foggy scene and shadows of tree skeletons in the background. Over this background I created a tree only using fabrics I collected from the floor of a seamstress' atelier.

My tree trunk is made of velvets and stretchy polyester, cotton and textured woven pieces and hand dyed silks. I 'painted' the trunk using all the fabrics that were destined for a land fill. I did not purchase any new materials for this piece. The colours are plentiful- purple, blue, orange, brown, green, pink....I particularly like the stapled number onto the trunk- a selvage edge.  It makes a powerful statement.

Last Tree Standing, detail

I really like it. I am sorry the jury, made up of 5 European women, did not feel it worthy of being part of the 60 piece exhibit.

Along with my generic rejection email, I did get a lovely personal email from the organizer. She called it "an exciting piece with profound symbolism" and she liked my choice of colours.

Even with her great comments, it is still disappointing news.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013

The rain did not deter visitors from touring the tents at the 52nd edition of the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE).

I was invited to be on the jury for the Fibre category. The selection was done back in March. It was a big honour for me to be asked to give my opinion alongside textile veterans and members of their board of directors.

When I visit the expo, I usually stick to the textile exhibits but this year I paid more attention to artists doing work in other mediums.

Adam Colangelo works with copper. Each piece of metal is treated to give a different look. No paint is used.

Artist Adam Colangelo stands in front of one of his latest works
 from his Global Series.
48" x 48" 

I love the textures he creates on the copper.

They are like mini art pieces in themselves.

I stopped to see standing lamps by visual artist Julia White.

They are textile art.

detail

When lit, the texture takes on a different appearance.

One of my favourite painters at this show is Joseph Sampson. He paints the most amazing oceans! It has been a few years now that I have wanted a painting done by him of the water I see in the south of Italy. I talked to him about the idea this time. Yes, I am like that-get an idea and be pro-active about it.

Joseph Sampson stands beside some of his smaller works.

I did stop a while to admire work by Lizz Aston.

Artist Lizz Aston

I hope in the future to be able to introduce her art to some of my European colleagues interested in textile.

Lizz Aston's work

You can see past posts on TOAE by clicking here and here.

The art show goes until July 7 at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto.

Location Location Location

The location for the Minerals exhibit in Verona is Loggia Barbaro.

The exhibit Minerals will be in this building where you see
the arched windows.

It is in the historical centre of the city near Piazza dei Signori.

one entrance to the piazza

Our exhibit will be part of the textile event, Verona Tessile, from April 16 to 21, 2013.
(you can follow the preparation for the festival on their Facebook page)

BACK IN TORONTO...
I have received many emails of disappointment that the works will only be seen at the PDAC by the 30,000 people registered for the conference and that the exhibit is not open to the public. I agree, it is a shame.

The Sodalite Prospector, detail,
by Susan Strachan Johnson

I am open to ideas...anyone know of a place in Toronto where we can have the 16 works exhibited after they get back from Europe? (we are looking at September 2013)

"Minerals" Exhibit

The deadline for the Minerals call-for-entry was in early December.

Pisoliths

It is amazing to see so many different interpretations of "Minerals".

Calcite

We received many wonderful textile pieces from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and even one from a Canadian living in Umbria, Italy!!

Pisoliths

The 6 member jury, made up of artists and scientists, have chosen the top 10 works to be exhibited at the PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) in March 2013 at the Convention Centre in Toronto. Six artists were invited to create a work to be added to these top ten selected for a total of 16 pieces.

Sodalite

There will be more posts about this exhibit in March, including pictures of the works.

Calcite

This exhibit has also been invited to be part of Verona Tessile, the international fibre festival taking place in Verona, Italy, from April 16 to 21, 2013.

(all mineral images from google)