From painted silk to wasp nests, the new "Fiber" exhibit at Abode Gallery is a dazzling display of nature in art
May 19, 2016, Stockholm, WI— Weaving, stitching, dyeing, tying, and even making collages from wasp nests: these are some of the fiber art techniques on display at the new “Fiber” exhibit at Abode Gallery in Stockholm, Wisconsin. The show will run from May 27th through July 5th, with an opening reception on Friday, May 27th.
Artists in the show are Kent Carlson, Deborah Foutch, Mavis Kjarland, Aimee Radman, Kristin Smith-Procter, and Tressa Sularz. Each artist has a unique, and sometimes surprising, approach to the world of fiber art. Take Kent Carlson’s unusual “found” materials, for example.
“I was throwing away an old wasp nest in my yard when I happened to notice the interesting patterns in it,” says Carlson. “I cut it apart and saw hundreds of lines in the fiber, circling the hive from top to bottom. That got me thinking, it’d probably make an interesting paper sculpture. Suddenly I found myself obsessed with this art project.”
Minneapolis artist Deborah Foutch, too, is obsessed with the natural world. Her interest in earth sciences led to her work with multiple layers of dynamic materials. Using a combination of painting and quilting methods, she embellishes her designs with techniques such as rusting, burning, and adding found objects.
“My current work explores the earth’s amazingly complex systems of soil, water, light, and air,” says Foutch. “These are multi-layered pieces that tell the story of the earth’s history, geology, and plant biology.” The results are both thought-provoking and beautiful to behold.
Abode Gallery owner and curator Alan Nugent has an eye for the unusual, and the “Fiber” exhibit gives him a chance to show some of the exceptionally creative work he admires.
“Fiber art is dimensional, layered, and complex,” says Nugent. “Our collection for the ‘Fiber’ show encompasses forms from the very ancient, like batik and weaving, to highly contemporary combinations of new, unexpected elements.”
Wearable and functional art will be a feature of the “Fiber” display. Batik artist Kristin Smith-Procter of Stockholm and weaver Aimee Radman of rural Red Wing both create elegant scarves as well as wall hangings. Nationally-known Twin Cities artist Tressa Sularz draws on traditional American basket-making techniques for her natural and hand-dyed rattan baskets.
Batik is also the primary medium of Pepin artist Mavis Kjarland, who uses the Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing to create landscapes of the Lake Pepin area. Her silk pieces, together with those of Smith-Procter, illustrate the versatility of this ancient art.
“Fiber” is the third in a series of six themed artist shows at Abode Gallery that will run throughout the summer and fall. The first show, “River,” featured paintings and photographs of the upper Mississippi River, and the second, “Wood,” was a display of the finest in regional woodworking. Upcoming shows will be “Animal,” “Word,” and “Earth.” All will feature the work of local and regional artists.
The Abode Gallery art openings are a part of the “Stockholm Arts Stroll” series in this tiny Wisconsin village, nationally known for its lively arts scene. Artists will be present to meet visitors to the gallery.
Wine, beer, and locally-made snacks will be served at the opening receptions. The gallery is next door to the wildly popular Stockholm Pie Company, which will be open late for the art openings.
Dates for the upcoming shows are:
May 27 - July 5: “Fiber”
July 8 - August 15: “Animal”
August 19 - September 26: “Word”
September 30 - November 7: “Earth”
About Abode Gallery & Design Studio
Since 2003, Abode has been a vital arts cornerstone in the village of Stockholm Wisconsin. Owner Alan Nugent (Allied Member, ASID) brings over 25 years of award-winning interior design talent to the Abode Design Studio, working with private and corporate clients throughout the Midwest. He has curated many high-profile art collections and shows for major corporations and regional organizations, and he uses his keen eye and style in the curation of the dynamic items that can be found in the Abode Gallery. Nugent is on the Board of Directors of the arts advocacy nonprofit organization “Arts Wisconsin.”
About Stockholm, Wisconsin
Stockholm, Wisconsin (population 66) is located on the shores of the great Mississippi in an area known as Lake Pepin. This historic and geographically-significant area is located just a short and beautiful drive away from the Twin Cities, Rochester, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Winona and Red Wing along what is considered “the most beautiful drive in America” (Huffington Post). Once nearly a ghost town, Stockholm now has more than two dozen exceptional shops, galleries, boutiques, cafés, and fine lodging options in addition to world-class cultural events and beautiful nature areas.
Contact
To learn more about Abode Gallery & Design Studio, please contact:
The Abode Gallery art openings are a part of the “Stockholm Arts Stroll” series in this tiny Wisconsin village, nationally known for its lively arts scene. Artists will be present to meet visitors to the gallery.
Wine, beer, and locally-made snacks will be served at the opening receptions. The gallery is next door to the wildly popular Stockholm Pie Company, which will be open late for the art openings.
Dates for the upcoming shows are:
May 27 - July 5: “Fiber”
July 8 - August 15: “Animal”
August 19 - September 26: “Word”
September 30 - November 7: “Earth”
About Abode Gallery & Design Studio
Since 2003, Abode has been a vital arts cornerstone in the village of Stockholm Wisconsin. Owner Alan Nugent (Allied Member, ASID) brings over 25 years of award-winning interior design talent to the Abode Design Studio, working with private and corporate clients throughout the Midwest. He has curated many high-profile art collections and shows for major corporations and regional organizations, and he uses his keen eye and style in the curation of the dynamic items that can be found in the Abode Gallery. Nugent is on the Board of Directors of the arts advocacy nonprofit organization “Arts Wisconsin.”
About Stockholm, Wisconsin
Stockholm, Wisconsin (population 66) is located on the shores of the great Mississippi in an area known as Lake Pepin. This historic and geographically-significant area is located just a short and beautiful drive away from the Twin Cities, Rochester, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Winona and Red Wing along what is considered “the most beautiful drive in America” (Huffington Post). Once nearly a ghost town, Stockholm now has more than two dozen exceptional shops, galleries, boutiques, cafés, and fine lodging options in addition to world-class cultural events and beautiful nature areas.
Contact
To learn more about Abode Gallery & Design Studio, please contact:
Alan NugentAbode Gallery& Design Studio
N2030 #3 Spring Street, Stockholm, WI 54769
715.442.2266alan@abodegallery.com
