Horticultural Variations

Jade Plant by Linda Hutchins (photo by Bill Bachhuber)

'Flower Garden' by Kathy Bruce for the Philadelphia Flower Show 2010 based on a 18th century engraving satirizing floral and gardening fashions. Crafted out of all natural plant material: corn husks, pampas grass, holly berries, moss, pistachio nuts, acorns, coconut husk, locust tree pods, and baby's breath - sculpted over a bamboo and reed framework.

'To Alice's house we go' by JacqleenBleu via etsy

Jessie Fair of ShiboriLove's lichen-inspired textiles made from hand-dyed/discharged repurposed linens, threads, embroidery floss and pigment

'Debris' Opens at PPOW in NYC

Portia Munson, Pink Project: Mound (photo of installation, 2006), pigmented ink on rag paper, 24" x 36"

Aurora Robson, 'junk mail art collage'

Debris @ P·P·O·W Gallery
March 20 – April 24, 2010

Featuring the work of Portia Munson, Sarah Frost, and Aurora Robson
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 20, 6-8pm

P·P·O·W Gallery is pleased to present the work of Sarah Frost, Portia Munson and Aurora Robson in a three-person exhibition entitled 'Debris'. Each artist will contribute a major installation consisting entirely of mass-produced plastic refuse transformed into fantastical art environments. Though connected by choice of material, each project is completely independent.
Aurora Robson, 'Belch' (2009), discarded plastic bottles, rivets, tinted polycrylic, mica powder and mild steel, 8 feet diameter

Bulgarian Folk Textiles in Motion

sent by my Bulgarian artist friend, Ceca Georgieva

(Re)Fashioning Fiber with the Women of Iran

photo by Shahnaz Zarkesh

Beautiful, handcrafted fiber 'peace bracelets' being distributed by Iranian artists, Atefeh Khas and Tara Goodarzy.

photo by Shahnaz Zarkesh

Atefeh and Tara have been reviving the domestic arts of their grandmothers and mothers via eco crafting initiatives meant to promote community building and environmental awareness. They are also part of the Iranian/Persian New Art Collective.

photo by Rahele Zomorrodinia

Atefeh Khas and Tara Goodarzy will participate in the upcoming group exhibition that I am curating for GreenSpaces NY in TriBeCa called (Re)Fashioning Fiber. Details to come.

You can also read more about my involvement with the Paradise Art Center in Polour, Iran here.

Ocketopia Opens Tonight at Lesley Heller

featured image: Deborah Brown, "Shoe Tree," 2009 Oil on canvas (48" x 60")

Ocketopia @ Lesley Heller Work Space, curated by Austin Thomas
March 10th - April 18th, opening March 10th 6pm to 8pm

Lesley Heller Workspace 54 Orchard Street New York, NY 10002. t 212 410 6120. Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11 - 6. Sunday 12 - 6

Artists include: Deborah Brown, Elisabeth Condon, Rico Gatson, Libby Hartle, Brece Honeycutt, Jane Kent, Grace Knowlton, Molly Larkey, Jim Osman, Judith Page, Kevin Regan, Adam Simon, David Storey, and Kay Thomas

Not Knots is Now

The Not Knots mini-fair, organized by artist Sabrina Gschwandtner, explores knots, knitting, and string figures. Visitors can view short math films that explore the geometry surrounding knots (including the celebrated film "Not Knot") and then engage in an informal discussion of knot theory with mathematician Philip Ording.

Gschwandtner will conduct a lab for stalled handcraft projects: bring any knitted, crocheted, sewn, embroidered, or woven undertaking in limbo, and receive consultation for moving forward. Inoli Murphy, author of "Murphy's String Figures: Teaching Math With String Figures" will demonstrate and discuss the ancient art of string figures.

When: Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 2pm-4pm
Location: Cabinet, 300 Nevins Street between Union & Sackett Streets in Brooklyn, New York

*Pretzel knots and wine will be served. The event is free and open to the public.