Marie Fornaro, “Discomfort Object”, deconstructed quilt

Pulling a Thread

Weeks Gallery, Jamestown Community College

November 1 - December 12, 2019

Pulling a Thread plies together contemporary fiber works by artists Ana de la Cueva, Marie Fornaro, Susan Iverson, Tracy Krumm, and Frankie Toan. As the title implies, some of these artists approach their practice intuitively, following a thread over many years to see where it leads. Others continue to pull apart difficult questions that might have problematic answers, much like the slow but persistent unravelling of a sweater’s edge. A conceptual and visual thread stitches the work from one artist to the next, offering diverse textile techniques including soft sculpture, tapestry weaving, quilting, embroidery, and crochet. Nature emerges as a common thread, as these artists reference landscape, light, geographical borders, and the textile’s unique relationship with gravity. The exhibition itself will visually unravel, transitioning from dense and vibrant materials to monochrome lace structures.

A loom was set up inside the gallery space as part of the exhibition, and visitors were able to participate in creating this weaving during the opening as well as throughout the duration of the show with the help of gallery staff.

Special thanks to Gallery Director, Colin Shaffer for exhibition design support and installation.