This year the theme for the show is The Wall. The way I interpreted the call was to work on some emotional walls that trip me up and get in the way of my constantly struggling self-esteem. I find that I am my worst enemy most, if not, ALL of the time. In the case of this art piece I have embroidered the simple statement “It’s okay”. It is a reassurance, a consolation, a soothing gesture giving myself permission to screw up and be lousy and be less than perfect because you know what? It’s okay!

Both pieces measure 6″ x 6″ and are made of embroidered sequins on canvas stretched around a wooden frame. I didn’t manage to even get a finished photo of this one before I sent it off. Guess this photo of it pre-stretched will have to be okay.

These works are part of an ongoing project of embroidered sequins versions of daily affirmations creating firm and strong amour-like objects. The process of sewing the sequins individually by hand is arduous and time consuming and it is hard not to meditate on the phrase or word that you are spending days completing, thus turning it into a sort of mantra. The overall experiment that I am attempting with this project is to turn the actual physical art project into merely a bi-product and redressing the art process as the project. I am the art project. You are the art project.

I am debuting Cat’s Cradle in this show! At 4′ x 4′ and made from 80 individually cast plaster fingers entwined with Alpaca yarn, this is the largest, heaviest, most expensive and most ambitious project I have ever completed to date! She is a real beauty, though.

Cat’s Cradle is a waking nightmare of twisted fingers emerging from a wall, coupled with the familiar childhood game of interlacing fingers with string, resulting in an aesthetic work of textile art with a sinister undertone. This piece echoes a childhood game put to a much larger scale. A physically impossible cat’s cradle, held together by a precarious tension, explores the relationship between play and art and the limitations the human body is restricted to contrasted with the limitless creative liberty that art is afforded. Through this piece a fleeting childhood experience is captured by the lasting power of artistic expression.

Come on out to 1214 Queen Street West, the corner of Gladstone and Queen, from 6-9pm tonight and pop your head in to see the incredible and tactile collection of fiber art in this years exhibition!

What a ride! I would like to thank all the people I ran into today who smiled at me or were generally nice. You made my day! Lugging a 4 foot square box all around a foreign city on public transportation with nothing but a few hand drawn notes to guide you is stressful but I encountered nothing but smiles and helpful folks. Thanks! You made today not suck!

Here is a picture of a super tired and dubious looking artist learning about the public transit system of Toronto with her pal, Giant Box.

Anyway, after many hours, a few blisters (so many nuts and bolts!) and running out to buy emergency yarn at The Knit Cafe (mmmm Alpaca….thanks for being there guys!) and some heavy lifting by the vertically gifted staff at The Gladstone… Cat’s Cradle is finally complete and hanging proudly in the 3rd floor gallery space of the Gladstone Hotel. You can see it in person on Thursday at the opening! 

Here is a preview!

Here is the new design! What do you think? Thanks to the infamous Dr. Dee Harding for slapping it together for me yesterday faster than I could even open photoshop! That boy is a wonder!

Why yes indeed that is a cross-stitched QR code that really works!

Anne Devittt, Emily Comeau, Janet Piper Jones, Emily Comeau, Amy George

From their website: “Hard Twist, is an annual juried show of work that celebrates the intimate, layered and complex relationship between people and textile.” I think my most recent work, Cat’s Cradle, exemplifies this relationship and I can’t wait for it to make the journey out into the world for the first time.

I invite you to join me for the opening reception on November 1st, 2012 from 7-10pm at The Gladstone Hotel located at 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

Nov 1, 2012 to Jan 27, 2013
Exhibition Hours: 12-5pm
Venue: 3rd and 4th Floor Galleries
Opening Reception: November 1, 2012 | 7-10pm