a textile design studio

RE-VISIONS: Art Made from Reclaimed Materials opened 21 May 2009

Tohono Chul Park opened its fourth foray into the world of art made from "reclaimed" materials.  "An apt title for the exhibit, 're-visions' refers to the process artists go through to create this type of work because in the art of creating art work from discarded items, they truly are 're-seeing' the objects in entirely new contexts from their original functions."

Since the early 20th century, art works from reclaimed materials have been part of the art scene as found in work by Cubists, Surealists, and Dadaists.  The box compositions of Joseph Campbell, the sculptures of Louise Nevelson and John Chamberlain reclaim used items and transform them from their original form and function into fresh, new ideas. 

 This vignette includes my "Sigrid" coat and bags from the Sweater Collection, alongside a striking upholstered chair and ottomon by Janet Soares.  The hooked fabric is discarded wool clothing that is over-dyed and cut into strips.  Beautiful.

 The Hobo bag from my Sweater Collection and one of the clutches from my Necktie Collection are in good company with Jenni Pagano's jewelry, created from bits of felted sweater, recycled beads and found jewelry.    

RE-VISIONS: Art from Reclaimed Materials features 31 Tucson area artists whose inspiring pieces are made from discarded books and newspapers, bicycle parts, computer cords and clabes, canceled postage stamps, neckties and old sweaters. 

The show opened May 21 and runs through August 23, 2009 at Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N Paseo del Norte, Tucson AZ 85704

Re-Visions: Art from Reclaimed Materials at Tohono Chul Park

"I am happy to tell you that I would like to include your work in Tohono Chul Park’s upcoming Re-Visions: Art from Reclaimed Materials exhibit, our fourth foray into the exciting world of art made from reused materials. This group exhibit will feature the imaginative expressions of artists who produce artworks from our culture’s disposable objects."

Thank you Tohono Chul Park!!  Here are the pieces that will show.

  This coat, Sigrid, appeared in the inaugural issue of Altered Couture magazine. Originally a moth-eaten, mishapen shirt jacket, it was felted in the washing machine...to close up the moth holes.  Next, deconstruction. A new collar and trim of a textured suede-like fabric changed the look and style.  Unfortunately not all of the moth holes felted, so the embellishments were machine appliqued.  The blue blossoms were cut from felted sweaters.

 I make a variety of styles of bags.  The top row are made from rescued sweaters.  The 3 on the right sold on opening night of my Transformations Show at the Art Institute of Tucson!  Nice way to start a show. The bag on the bottom left is made from upholstery samples, the 2 in the middle are rescued sweaters, and the tote on the right was made from a coat. A pair of the totes will appear in the Re-Visions show. 

  This is "Larry", one of the necktie clutches and he's going to be in the show.  These sturdy little cases can hold a pair of eyeglasses, a key, a card and they are good to go.  They have a snap closure and the embellishments are jewelry and/or button findings.

Re-Visions opens on May 21 and runs through August 23.     www.tohonochulpark.org

"From Rags to Stitches"

 

Many thanks to Gerry and Genny for the delightful story in Connections for Women.  You can view the article in its entirely at http://www.connectionsforwomen.com/article_details.php?article_id=735&cat=4

Connections for Women (www.connectionsforwomen.com) is an exclusive interactive online magazine created to empower, educate, enrich, inspire and provide an online compassionate community for women.

Thank you ladies.

KAREN LUKACS transformations show

 

 

 

 

 at the Art Institute of Tucson.  January 29 through April 19, 2009.

 

Time to hang it all up