Feltrinelli in Verona

Ad Maiora and Feltrinelli book store hosted a free workshop this afternoon as a pre Verona Tessile event. They asked me to teach a paper pieced star because the theme for their international juried exhibit is "E Lucean le Stelle" from the opera Tosca.

There were about 40 people attending.

So many people! many first time makers. It was so great!!

The girl working at the store said they had never had that many people for an event and people with such enthusiasm!

We made 6-point stars using the paper piecing method.

The thing I liked the best was the friendships people made during the 2 hours of sewing (it was suppose to be just one hour but everyone was having such fun!)

Verona Yesterday

The sun is finally showing up!

I walked close to the arena and saw a few props outside where they are doing some work.

We hung some art today at Feltrinelli in the historical centre.

One of the works at Feltrinelli, made with crinoline
and coloured condoms (Maria Teresa Sansotta,
Preservalibero, 2006)
The odd design of the light behind the work
 came out in the photo
but it is not part of the official work..
although I think it is food for thought!

We prepared the tables for tomorrow's workshop -I am teaching paper-pieced stars because of the theme of the international contest,"... e Lucean le Stelle"

Press Conference

Verona.

Verona's Ponte Pietra seen from our breakfast spot along the Adige.

Today, Verona Tessile organizers had a press conference at the Comune di Verona.

President of Ad Maiora, Maria Teresa Sansotta, in front of City Hall

Lots of press, government delegates, sponsor representatives and the TV cameras were present.

Verona's blue and yellow city flag

They talked about the international exhibits, stressing the Canadian ones (there are three). They talked about when women get together and are open minded they can accomplish so many things together. They talked about the art of expressing oneself using fabric as a medium, never making a separation between the quilts and the "art work". They talked about the collaboration of the book store Feltrinelli in Verona and also in Mantova where there will be some workshops. Speakers were the minister of culture for Verona, Antonia Pavesi, the president of Ad Maiora, Maria Teresa Sansotta, The representative of the main sponsor Banca Popolare di Verona, the curator at Castel Vecchio (a museum), and the representative of Feltrinelli.

Leaving the conference

It was a success and we went out to celebrate with an Aperol spritz.

Aperol is a typical Italian "aperitivo"

The official opening reception for the textile festival is next Monday!

Preparation

Sunday in Verona means church,

Floor at San Giorgio church in Verona

Detail of the floor in San Giorgio 

a big family lunch and free time to prepare for the upcoming Verona Tessile exhibits.

We cut threads for hanging Amanda McCavour's work. 

We prepared threads for hanging 50 circles.

Only several hundred to go!

African Billie Zangewa

Billie Zangewa creates silk tapestries. She was born in Malawi, raised in Botswana, studied in Grahamstown, South Africa, worked in Johannesburg and exhibited in New York.

I was introduced to her work at Art Paris Art Fair at the gallery MAGNIN-A.

Christmas at the Ritz, 2006
120 cm x 111 cm
embroidered silk
There are better images on the artist's and gallery website

She comes to textile art from a fashion background. Fabric was her medium then and it is now.

She sews together snippits from her life. She often places herself in the image- a self-portrait in a captured moment.

Artist is in the right hand corner
(sorry about the reflection in the glass)

A captured moment like a photograph.

I love the way she has bits missing in her background fabric choice. That seems to be in all her work.

Simple stitching, beautiful choices of colour and fabric. It's like painting with fabric.

(notice the absence of the word patchwork)

Italian Textile Artists

My observation is that textile art is more prevalent in Italy than in France. Gallery owner, David Gerges, who exhibits textile agrees with me.

Riscatto, detail, 2013
by italian artist Tiziana Abretti
paper, oil, stitches

I discovered Tiziana Abretti's textile art at Art Paris Art Fair. Seven of her works were displayed at the booth for the art school IESA.

Riscatto
means Redemption in Italian

The Parma born artist references the "Arte Povera" movement by using non-noble materials. She ruins and repairs her creations. She is on her way to great things I am told. She is completely immersed and focused in her work.

The work is like an empty carcass

Some of her pieces were under glass and framed. Ah yes..that whole debate about framing...

Back in Paris

Walking under the subway tracks where the market is on Wednesdays and Sundays.