saddle couturage
The materials in my newest series are autobiographical and central to this body of work. Building on the new shapes and forms I experimented with in my Bird Brains series, I am combining fibers with textiles and thermoplastic in more organic and open-ended ways.
A metaphor for my yearning to bridge cultural gaps in understanding, this series combines materials that tell my life story. Western-style clothing and horsehair represent my childhood in Texas. Cotton muslin, a fashion prototyping staple, is representative of my decade living in Paris and working in couture. Kimono silk and gold thread (deployed as a stand-in for the gold lacquer used in kintsugi) are a nod to the three years I spent living in Japan. And finally, the feather-like protrusions and other shapes I affix to many of my sculptures are made of thermoplastic, a versatile and shape-shifting material that represents my current life in New York City where people are free to take many forms.
COWBOY KAKEMONO: ON VIEW IN JAPAN
The four “Cowboy Kakemono” pieces, which were made following the dimensions and proportions of the traditional Japanese scroll, are currently on view in Iga, Japan.
More about the exhibition