As artists and makers we feel the energy multiplying in our region as more and more creative projects and collaborations are born. As Cleveland evolves from within, so does its pull from and towards other art communities nationwide. Cleveland is geographically positioned as an ideal epicenter, a place where artists from all over can easily meet, exchange, grow and share. The newest exhibition at Praxis Fiber Workshop, Centrifugal aims to relay the force with which artists are connected to each other, to the tradition of fiber art and to the art community in Cleveland. We also aim to highlight the power and energy felt from material itself, and how each artist’s interpretation adds to the momentum of that power.

Four artists from outside of Cleveland will showcase bold and energetic work, in hand and jacquard weaving, painted soft sculptures, and in quilt and fabric installation.

Naomi Clark lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She is Co-founder of Fort Makers, an artist collective that makes functional and interactive art. Her current collaboration, The Blanket Project, utilizes painting and collage through hand-sewing on found, old, wool blankets. In this exhibition, you will find works from The Blanket Project and many vibrant, soft sculptures.

John Paul Morabito is a Chicago-based artist. He uses the jacquard loom to transcribe drawings onto pieces of cloth. In the series, Frottage, rubbings are made from handwoven textiles, which are digitized and rewoven (and abstracted) at the loom.

Karolina Gnatowski is an interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago. Weaving bright-colored yarns in all weights and sizes, Karolina uses her warp to securely position yarns in the funkiest of twists and turns. In the end, these objects become characters in her woven narrative.

Eliza Fernand has pursued artistic opportunities in a nomadic, cross-country career that eventually led her back to Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently investigating the traditions and techniques of quilt making and is installing a site-specific window installation at the Praxis Gallery.

Each of these artists brings to the exhibition their own version of centrifugal force, radiating from the central point of historical craftsmanship. Traditional techniques are challenged, processes are translated from material to material, and light is used to pull color and focal point across the gallery space.  Please join us for the opening reception of Centrifugal at 6 pm  Friday, March 3.

 

Praxis Fiber Workshop

15301 Waterloo Road

Cleveland Ohio 44110

Praxisfiberworkshop.org

 

‘Centrifugal’

March 3 – April 28

Opening Recpetion, March 3, 6-9pm

 

Photos:
Karolina Gnatowski: Smelly Rug
John Paul Morabito: Frottage Series & Among the Many (video still)