The Elementals by Esther Neufeld May 6th- June 20th
a celebration of THE WOMEN OF CREATION
Opening reception Saturday, May 9th from 1pm-4pm
Join us in the Lebel Mansion gallery on Saturday, May 9th from 1pm until 4pm as we gather to celebrate the incredible fibre works of local artist Esther Neufeld. We'll have sweet treats, coffee and tea to share alongside great company!
A solo extravaganza featuring the felted artworks of Esther Neufeld showcasing both 3D and 2D renderings of the elemental ‘Women of Creation’- Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. These are compelling, enlivened and highly textural pieces which bring the viewer into the experiential realms of the deeply inspirited world in which we all live, toil and dream. Walk amongst hem, feel their presence, savour their power.
Also featured will be an alluring boutique bazaar - ‘ELEMENTS’. The works presented here will reflect the overall ‘Women of Creation’ theme, giving the participant the opportunity to translate the living vitality of the show into a garment or accessory which can be worn in daily life – or on that ‘special’ occasion. A wide panoply of pieces, including felted shawls, silk print scarves, custom hats and caps, colourful bags, and dyed kerchiefs will be on offer.
Don’t come away with just memories of this astonishing show – drape these sensations around you, and become yourself a living celebration of these sublime and all-encompassing sisters, mothers and bosom confidantes - these ‘Women of Creation’.
Artist Statement
Wearable Art
My Mom taught me how to sew as a girl, and so fabricating my own clothing became a life-long normalcy. As I moved through various manifestations of the fibre arts over the years, from spinning to weaving to felting, and the colour dyes that enlivened the pieces, I came to a deep realization that craft and art were thoroughly intertwined.
‘Wearable art’ is a term that connotes the making of garments which in their drape, texture and motif give artistic expression to what are otherwise utilitarian things-shawls, jackets, hats, etc. In this work I seek to go beyond mere design elements and enter into a living, moving space where the wearer’s body becomes intrinsic to the expression of colour and feel.
The medium of felt within which I work has a particular liveliness to it exactly because it uses living fibres - wool, mohair and silk. These pieces are my palette, and upon and within them I seek to instill those wordless feelings of connection between artist and beholder that all true art exists to elicit.
Because they are not static, but rather in motion and embracing the wearer, they tend to ever breathe fresh spirit into whatever world they come to inhabit. They are living things – alive with colour and texture, and creating their own moving gallery as the wearer walks down life’s bright pathways.
Esther Neufeld
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