I’ve been talking about my Vessels: Art of the Feminine series for so long it seems like I’ve done nothing else with my time. But “ta-da” it’s in the gallery and to say I’m thrilled is an understatement! It is everything I had hoped it would be and much more. I don't think I’ve ever been as pleased with my work as I feel with this project (and thought so deeply about its meaning).
Part of the series is a collaborative activity that I asked women on my island to help with…stitching words onto fabrics that were then stitched onto some of the smaller vessels. This time together helped me to realize that our creative work is never created in a vacuum, it is always in some sense a collaboration and a way of being connected to others….contribution from many = community.
I began reflecting on the various ways I built a community through this project and how I connected with resources, people, and places beyond myself to bring Vessels to completion.
Research: the initial concept of "vessels" emerged from my visits to museums across Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, and France. These institutions helped instill the foundational ideas. Considering the broader connections, there's a line through time connecting the original creators of these ancient vessels, the people who used them in daily life, and the archaeologists who unearthed them centuries later.
Books: my research was enriched by several books—some discovered by chance, others recommended by colleagues, and many found through bibliographies and online resources. Through these materials, I connected with authors who established important foundations for my work.
Textiles: the vintage linens used in my pieces were sourced from thrift stores, online marketplaces, and generous donations from friends and family. These textiles carry memories of tables set for dinner, family gatherings, and celebrations. They remind me of the importance of family bonds and the joy of sharing meals prepared with care and love.
Textiles: the dyeing and stitching techniques employed in creating the vessels were learned from mentors and instructors. Working with fiber reactive dyes, creating skeins of different threads, and screen printing words and imagery were all possible because of knowledge shared by masters of these crafts.
Other artists: when facing technical challenges in executing my vision, connecting with other artists proved invaluable. These conversations helped solve problems or, sometimes, simply talking through the issues revealed solutions on their own.
Mothers of the Past - Daughters of the Future: In our gatherings, whether in person or online, we customarily acknowledge the people who first inhabited these lands. As settlers, we recognize we are guests on these traditional territories. Similarly, I hope to honor all the women of the past who inspired this work—the potters who created those ancient vessels, the artisans whose forms and shapes influenced my designs, and the countless unknown and unsung women who lived, experienced each day's awakening, and now rest with the Eternal Spirit.
Each person has played a vital role in my Vessels project, forming what I now consider my community of the Feminine—a network of connections spanning time, geography, and creative disciplines, all coming together in this artistic expression.
During my Artist Talk last weekend, I was fortunate to have it recorded - many thanks to Inder, the intern at the Craft Council of British Columbia. Have a look: https://craftcouncilbc.ca/vessels-art-of-the-feminine/
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