Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Weaving: A Dialogue

Dialogue--a chance to
connect
discuss
experiment
reflect
share
network 
In the spring of 2017 I'll have the distinct pleasure and challenge of engaging in an extended dialogue with Bhakti Ziek, artist/weaver, as we collaboratively teach during a session of Concentration at Penland School of Crafts.

Bhakti and I met in 2009 when I contacted her about tutorials she was then offering at her home studio in Vermont.  She is widely known for her art work using complex weaves.  I was quite curious about how her TC-1 thread controller loom worked and the opportunity to have a hands on experience lead by an expert was intriguing.

The few days I spent with Bhakti back then gave me such insight into not only the means for image making with complex looms but also the desire of an artist to use such ways to express in textiles.  I wrote about my experience at Bhakti's studio here.

Bhakti and I are now several months into an extended dialogue to prepare for next spring's class!  We hope that we'll have many folks who are ready, willing and able to join us from March-May 2017 at the ever inspirational Penland.  More information about the class will be available from Penland in the spring.

P.S.  Here's a link to a presentation I did at the Textile Society of America symposium in 2010.  The ideas for the topic of the paper, based upon interviews with eight textile artists and called "Woven Images: All Techniques Considered," began with my initial dialogue with Bhakti at her studio in 2009. 

1 comment:

  1. Tommye, I have long admired Bhatik's work , as well as yours ! How exciting to think the two of you are in dialogue about your future class at Penland ! I wait in anticipation for the catalogue!
    Cathie

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