Parkside Art Gallery will be all warm and fuzzy with its new show, Fibre Magic from Sept. 14 to Nov. 3.
South Cariboo artists Claudia Ring, Martha Cloudesley and Jenny Taylor are the real magic behind the show, as their work is the focus.
Ring is a knitter, but not the kind who enjoys following a pattern. She laughs while telling the story of her first knitting project – a set of underwear made from instructions in Grade 1.
“It was after the war and it was practical, but terrible. Luckily my mother was creative and she encouraged us to think freely.”
From then on, Ring started creating her own designs and her show contributions are pieces of art, rather than practical items.
Expect to see magical scarves, felt spiders that tell of Greek mythology and a couple of large, very unusual pieces she’s keeping under wraps, but promises will thoroughly surprise and amaze viewers.
Taylor brings a totally different style of work to the show. Her interest is in wall hangings, which incorporate a little bit of sewing, a smidgen of quilting and splash of embroidery.
“I started out as a quilter but my accuracy wasn’t great. I wanted to be more free and creative.”
She uses the trio of techniques to create amazing fibre art paintings and most have been inspired by images she’s seen and tucked away in her creative mind for later use.
Several of her pieces have found homes in Europe, and she says one even hangs in an 18th century Spanish villa.
Cloudesley has a deep-set interest in making her own fibres, using just about anything that comes her way. Her pieces are mainly sculpture and she uses a hand-spun mix of wool with recyclable materials, such as plastic bags and wire.
“It’s work done with what people wouldn’t normally expect.”
Her featured piece is a three-metre long drama sculpture she calls, “Embracing the Spirits,” and most of the remaining pieces are either new or reworked.
Cloudesley anticipates Fibre Magic will be her last show for a couple of years, as she says she has too many ideas sitting on the back burner that need to be explored.
Fibre Magic opens with a reception at Parkside on Sept. 14 from 7-9 p.m., and people are invited to attend to meet the artists and see their work.
Cloudesley says the reception is something she’s looking forward to.
“I really enjoy talking to people, especially when people have pertinent questions about the work. There are always interesting questions.”
She says people who see the show won’t be disappointed.
“This is going to be one of the most fascinating shows they’ve had in the gallery. I have no doubt.”
Following opening night, the show can be viewed during regular gallery hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Parkside is located at 401 Cedar Ave.
