I wrote earlier this week about recurring motifs in the work of embroiderer Tom Lundberg. Coincidentally, I saw another exhibit recently by three fiber artists who also explored recurring motifs. The artists are Pat DaRif, Joanne Weis and Valerie White and their show, "Rooted in the Earth," is up at the Huff Gallery at Spalding University, Louisville KY through April 8.
I've seen and participated in group shows with themes, and they're not always successful. It often seems that people have taken great liberties in trying to fit the theme to their work, sometimes extending only as far as the title. But this trio of artists have produced remarkably cohesive bodies of work that fit the "roots" theme well and, even better, fit with each other.
Note in the photos the many different ways that the three artists have depicted roots.
Valerie White, Righteous Roots, detail below
Valerie White, Refuge, detail below
Pat DaRif, Mangrove VI, detail below
Pat DaRif, Ollie and Maud: Rooted in the Earth, detail below
Joanne Weis, Early Settlers (Floyd's Fork), detail below
Joanne Weis, Goldenrod (Floyd's Fork), detail
Thanks for sharing some of the show! 'Righteous Roots' is certainly interesting, really draws one in to both examine the composition and consider the artist's intent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to these artists. I like the graphic quality of Pat DaRif's work and how she's coaxed the roots out of her Shibori fabric.
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