Material Identity
How does materiality represent who we are? Does the material you use dictate who you are as a maker? How does medium speak to who you are as an individual? In the exhibition Material Identity, 27 artists and makers from 3 countries and 16 states explore the substance of material, paying special attention to their place in the world, either from a focus inward, or how they identify in society at large. This international exhibition was juried by Jiseon Lee Isbara, Otis College of Art and Design, and Jessica Kooiman Parker, Boulder Dairy Art Center.
Jurors
Jiseon Lee Isbara is an artist and educator who served in the higher art education as professor and administrator. She exhibits nationally and engages with viewers through lectures and discussions and collaborates and contributes to the community by serving as various roles for regional and national art and education organizations. Jiseon earned her MFA in Fibers, one from Colorado State University and one from Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
Jessica Kooiman Parker believes in the power of art to change lives. She strives to bring thought provoking and process-based work to new audiences, while promoting art collecting and paying artists fair compensation. She fostered her love of art and design by acquiring a BFA from the University of WI-Stout. Since that time she has held the role of Small Business Owner, Freelance Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Executive Director and Curator.
Most notable was her role at the Firehouse Art Center in Longmont where she was Executive Director/Curator for 4 years. Under her guidance, the Firehouse emerged as the leading space for contemporary art in the area, winning the Times Call Best Art Gallery in 2014-17 and the Daily Camera Best Art Gallery 2013-17. She founded a monthly film program in 2012 and created Longmont’s only film festival – the Front Range Film Festival in 2013. Her work as Creative Director for Colorado Festival Productions continues to drive independent film in our region.
Recently Kooiman Parker partnered with multi-disciplinary artist Drew Austin and founded Studio.Public. Through podcasts, digital interviews, critical discussion, and a print publication, Studio.Public documents what makes an artist thrive and brings the person behind the work to the forefront.
In their words.
Red, Gold and Green
I invited the community to my studio to wrap yarn, recycled sari thread, ribbon onto rope. More than 25 people imbued their essence, becoming a part of the rope, as we discussed the trials and tribulations of our hair. Finding a common denominator amongst us all, HAIR.
- Theda Sandiford
Return the Flash #2 (You May Recognize Yourself)
Sewn portraits inspired by everyday life moments that aren't given much consideration in our haste to get from point A to B – for the viewer a scenario easy to relate to. The female figures are meant to evoke a personal response and to give inspiration to move forward with hope and determination.
- Kerstin Bruchhaeuser
Shoreline
Shoreline, one of a large series "Global Warning" of Narrative Fiber Paintings speaking to various aspects of the human footprint upon our planet. This piece may be hung or worn, referencing the transition of animal fur pieces to the no animal fur perspective. Painting with fiber
- Karen Schnell Chisholm
The United Stitches
This work is composed of 307 individual receipts collected between 2014 and 2016 mostly in Fort Lee (NJ), New York City and their vicinity, it also includes pieces from Los Angeles, Miami, Hawaii, Key West, Philadelphia and Boston.
- Dong Kyu Kim
Material Identity Artist Talk
Watch Material Identity artists, curator Sarah LaBarre, and juror Jessica Kooiman Parker discuss the exhibition call, studio practice, and making art during these strange times.
Dong Kyu Kim, The United Stitches, 2017
Awarded - Best in Show
Kerstin Bruchhaeuser, Return the Flash #1(You May Recognize Yourself), 2020
Awarded - Honorable Mention
Kerstin Bruchhaeuser, Return the Flash #1 (You May Recognize Yourself), silk, linen, and cotton applique on reflective background, 31.5" x 15.75" 1.5" $1,700.00 2020
Kerstin Bruchhaeuser, Return the Flash #2 (You May Recognize Yourself), silk, linen, and cotton applique on reflective background, 31.5" x 15.75" 1.5" $1,700.00 2020
Kerstin Bruchhaeuser, Return the Flash #5 (You May Recognize Yourself), silk, linen, and cotton applique on reflective background, 31.5" x 15.75" 1.5" $1,700.00 2020
Julie Jablonski, Buried Alive, fabric, spray paint, found chairs, 21.5" x 19.5" x 10" $800.00 2018
Julie Jablonski, Comfortably Numb, wood, spray paint, found chairs, 41" x 17.25" x 12" $1,100.00 2018
Julie Jablonski, Talking Without Listening, wood, spray paint, found chairs, 45" x 55" x 55" $4,000.00 2017
Dong Kyu Kym, Consuming Memories#8_ Detail, paper receipts, thread, Swiffer microfiber cloths, 49" x 25" x 0" NFS, 2017
Dong Kyu Kym, Consuming Memories#8, paper receipts, thread, Swiffer microfiber cloths, 49" x 25" x 0" NFS, 2017
Dong Kyu Kym, CThe United Stitches, paper receipts, thread, Swiffer microfiber cloths, 63" x 55" x 2" NFS, 2017
Donna D' Aquino, Black Square Bracelet, steel, plastic-dip, 6" x 6" x 4" $2,500.00 2018
Donna D' Aquino, Red Oval Bracelet, steel, plastic-dip, 4" x 7" x 3" $2,500.00 2018
Debra Disman, "Profusion" (interior), Artist's Book/Sculpture, 8.75" x 24.5" x 7.75" $500, 2018
Debra Disman "Profusion" (interior), Artists' Book/ Sculpture , 8.75" x 24.5" x 7.75" $500.00 2018
Debra Disman "Throes of the Body" (interior), Artists' Book/ Sculpture, 13" x 27" x 10.25" $600.00 2018
Debra Disman "Throes of the Body" (exterior), Artists' Book/ Sculpture, 13" x 27" x 10.25" $600.00 2018
Becky Hawley Diary Mixed-media: vintage paper, encaustic, wood, thread, nails 6" x 12" x 5" $350.00 2012
Jacob Wan Secrette 02 Artist’s book, handmade paper of cigarettes, threads, 13" x 4" x 1" $300.00 2019
Jacob Wan Secrette (Detail) 02 Artist’s book, handmade paper of cigarettes, threads, 13" x 4" x 1" $300.00 2019
Nathan Carroll, Hotdog Ring, Acrylic red & white acyclic, brass coldconnections 7" x 4" x 4" $1,200.00 2019
Jillian Sico, Mycorrhizae Letterpress, handmade paper, thread, bookcloth, 10.75" x 5.8" x .75" $700.00 2020
Kara Donatelli, Involuntary Voyage Clay, wood, paper, resin, metal, 51" x 54" x 56" $550.00 2020
Jan R Carson, Death, Pieced Silk and LED Light 36" x 36" x 3" $4,500.00 2019
Arny Nadler, Firstling No. 15, latex painted ceramic 40" x 11.5" x 9.25" $5,000.00 2019
Karen SchnellChisholm, Shoreline, Narrative Fiber Painting, 44" x 36" x 1" $1,200.00 2019
Susan Lenz, Loss: Miscarriage, Found objects and Fibers, 8’ x 4’ x 4’ $2,000.00 2018
Theda Sandiford, Natural Twist Mixed Media Fiber, 84" x 12" x 6" $2,500.00 2018
Theda Sandiford, Wax Hair Color Is It! Mixed Media Fiber, 100’ x 1" x 0" $2,000.00 2018
Alisha Porter, Hats, Slip Casted Stoneware;Gold Luster; Custom 7 piece Mold, 6" x 10" x 6" $300.00 2020
Stacy Isenbarger, Descension Held (Detail) upholstered form, velvet, doily & found tree limb, 30" x 9" x 3.5" $495.00 2020
Stacy Isenbarger, Descension Held, upholstered form, velvet, doily & found tree limb, 30" x 9" x 3.5" $495.00 2020
Stacy Isenbarger, Feeding, Fed upholstered forms, stick, velvet, & fringe, 16" x 14.5" x 4" $485.00 2020
Stacy Isenbarger, A Stone's Throw, Embedded upholstered forms, found doilies, lace, velvet, & stone, 14" x 16" x 3" $515.00 2020
Abigail Coleman, Fish Food (Detail) , Hardware cloth, paper pulp, reeds, mixed media, 5" x 6.5" x 3.5" $300.00 2019
Abigail Coleman, Fish Food, Hardware cloth, paper pulp, reeds, mixed media, 5" x 6.5" x 3.5" $300.00 2019
Abigail Coleman, Fish Food (Detail) , Hardware cloth, paper pulp, reeds, mixed media, 5" x 6.5" x 3.5" $300.00 2019
Erin Galvez, (Ritual Classification) Staff, textiles, steel wire, and wood, 71" x 22" x 3" $2,500.00 2020
Erin Galvez, (Ritual Classification) Staff (Detail) , textiles, steel wire, and wood, 71" x 22" x 3" $2,500.00 2020
Jennifer Bain, Tip-Off felt, wood, suede, thread, paint, plastic , 13" x 10" x 8" $600.00 2019
Jennifer Bain, Coryphee, fabric, suede, wood, rubber, 12" x 16" x 8" $800.00 2019
Jennifer Bain, Coryphee (Detail) , fabric, suede, wood, rubber, 12" x 16" x 8" $800.00 2019
Jennifer Bain, Tip-Off felt (Detail), wood, suede, thread, paint, plastic , 13" x 10" x 8" $600.00 2019
Whitney Hampton A.M. (Broil) Fabric 12" x 17" x 9" $800.00 2019
Whitney Hampton Nikki (Weighted) Fabric, Chicken Wire, and Lead 5’ x 1’ x 9" $1,800.00 2019
An art display featuring open books and a booklet, with colorful woven or yarn art hanging beside it.
A mixed-media art sculpture on a white pedestal in an art gallery, with other artworks displayed in the background.
Contemporary art gallery with various sculptures and textile art pieces, including hanging fabric, carved masks, and woven sculptures, in a minimalist exhibition space with track lighting.
Three wire sculptures on a white display pedestal with a beige wall background. The sculptures are in black and red, each with a geometric, abstract design. There is also a black sculpture of a dog or similar animal in the background to the right.
Two red chairs painted upside down and mounted on a white gallery wall.
Art gallery displaying various sculptures and textile art pieces, including a large fabric garment on the wall, with pedestals showcasing smaller sculptures and artwork.
Decorative red and black Christmas tree sculpture on a black stand.
A mixed-media art sculpture resembling a curled-up creature or abstract form with fabric and textured materials, displayed on a stand in an indoor gallery setting.
A small, handmade, white box decorated with black ink patterns and the words "DO NOT CRY" in gold, positioned on a white surface with golden and black string and small rolled paper scrolls attached. In the background, there is a blurred wall with hanging fabric or paper cutouts.
Close-up of a fabric structure with pleats and stitched patterns.
Red wire sculpture resembling a spiral or shell shape displayed on a white pedestal in an art gallery.
An art sculpture of a seated figure with purple legs, a patterned shirt, gray hair, and socks, lying on a white pedestal in an art gallery.
Art gallery with various mixed media sculptures and wall art displayed on white walls, including hanging garments and masks.
A plush and fabric sculpture resembling a gray egg with yellow fabric hair, yellow fabric wings, and yellow and orange fabric accessories, mounted on a purple base, displayed in an art gallery.
Two contemporary sculptures on display: one black wireframe abstract form on the left and one red wireframe oval shape on a white pedestal on the right. A framed abstract artwork hangs on the wall in the background.
A close-up, upward angle view of a red wooden chair with turned spindles on the backrest, showing the underside of the seat and the backrest against a plain wall.
Art gallery with sculptures on white pedestals, paintings on the wall, and colorful mixed media artworks.
Interior of an art gallery with sculptures, textile art, and jewelry displayed on white pedestals and walls, viewed through doorway bordered by colorful fabric necklaces.
A close-up of colorful, assorted yarns and fibers, including black with multicolored specks, yellow, pink, white with red stripes, and various twisted and textured strands.
Exhibition with four red chairs arranged in a semi-circle against a white wall with the words "Material Identity" written on it. In the foreground, part of a colorful, woven sculpture is visible.
Three artworks on a beige wall depicting women walking away, framed in gray. Two vertical, colorful yarn sculptures hang on either side of the artworks.