Positive yarn: 5 amazing artists using wool
- Category Discover...
-
Wool is a material favoured by textile artists for its ability to be shaped and layered. It’s often regarded as very traditional and homely, but when utilised in an inventive way, this soft, natural material can delight and surprise in equal measure.
In this article, part of our Discover… series, we introduce you to 5 amazing artists specialising in this fascinating field, where the possibilities are endless.
Gloria McRoberts
Gloria McRoberts
Gloria McRoberts is a fiber sculptor based in Watertown, Tennessee. She creates sculptural weavings alongside her son, Jim McRoberts. Their work is hand woven from natural, undyed wool. Seeking to interpret the wonders of the universe, especially the seasonal transformation of trees, their aim is to present works that are visually dynamic and conceptually intriguing, and that evoke feelings of tranquility. The wool gives Gloria the softness and rich layering desired to capture these stunning images.
For more information visit: www.gloriamcroberts.com
Kari Elfstedt
Kari Elfstedt
Keri is a textile artist and costume designer based in Sandnessjøen, Norway. She works with traditional Norwegian material wool and creates her pieces using the Japanese traditional practice of shibori. Keri has developed her own technique of dipping and colouring the works. The non predictable result of the stitching, folding and dipping processes are for Keri both exciting and and inspirational.
For more information visit: www.karielfstedt.com
Jill Harrison
Jill Harrison
Wool fibre artist Jill Harrison lives and works in rural Aberdeenshire. She didn’t realise when buying a small flock of sheep that they would change her life forever. Having studied art at college it was only after shearing the sheep that she decided to have a go at felting. One thread led to another and she has created a stunning body of designs inspired by pop idols, silent movie queens and, of course, her flock.
Heather Collins
Heather Collins
Heather Collins is an award-winning contemporary textile artist inspired by the seascapes and landscapes of her home on the Sussex coast. Using the natural world as her starting point she creates intricate pieces of sculpture, which reflect the extraordinary diversity of nature itself. She creates large textile sculptures which she embellishes with traditional hand embroidery. These pieces are formed from smaller works, which vary in size, and often begin from a small fragment of distressed fabric or a single thread.
For more information visit: www.heathercollins.co.uk
Caroline Wells Chandler
Caroline Wells Chandler
New York-based transgender artist Caroline Wells Chandler describes his work as being very gay! His ‘Queering the lines’ exhibition of 2015 featured hand crocheted drawings and sculptures exploring notions of queerness in all its rainbow spectrum glory. Caroline’s work is bright and playful exploring the themes of desire and identity.
For more information visit: www.carolinewellschandler.com
Do you share their passion for wool? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous!!! Thank you SO much, Sam and Joe!
You’re welcome Alice. So pleased that you enjoyed the article!
Wonderful diversity of talent and so good to see the celebration of wool which is after my own heart.
Your work is faboulous!!!! I’m learning a lot with your articles: a lot of fiber art and a lot of english!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!
I met Gloria McRoberts at her booth at a South Florida show. I wandered in, mesmerized by her beautiful work. She approached me with warm conversation of the fiber arts, wisdom, and her work. I shared with her that I was a few years into fully focusing my art on fiber and mixed media. She was open and encouraging. The artist is as beautiful as her work. A true inspiration.
Love the diversity of artists highlighted in your articles. They are amazing and inspirational!! Always look forward to these newsletters!
These artists are definitely masters! What creativity!