New Westminster artists are part of a new exhibition exploring the spiritual life in textiles.
(in)finite: spiritual conversations in cloth, an exhibition hosted by the Anglican Foundation of Canada, is on at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver from May 25 to June 4.
The free exhibition, which marks the 60th anniversary of the Anglican Foundation, features 30 textile artists from across the country, all exploring the realm of the sacred.
“The works span from new perspectives on centuries-old religious vestments, liturgical items and ritual practices to radical reinterpretations of sacred space and private meditation,” a press release notes. “The work of these artists offers insight into the significant role cloth plays in the Canadian contemporary spiritual landscape.”
New Westminster artists Terry Aske, Trish Graham and Judy Villett all have works in the exhibition.
Aske is an award-winning textile artist who has been designing and creating contemporary quilts in her home studio since 1998. Her quilts – which include both realistic and abstract pieces – have been juried into many national and international shows and exhibitions.
“Being an artist is an essential part of my spiritual journey,” Aske said in an artist’s statement. “Making art nourishes my soul and feeds my creative spirit.”
Aske says her chosen medium – fabric and threads – has a particular pull for her.
“There is something wonderful about working with fabric – it is soft and flexible and has both tactile and visual texture. Fabric provides shape and colour to my work; layering and quilting add texture and dimension.”
Villett is also a quilter, having been raised by three generations of family quilters in Alberta. She uses both traditional techniques and contemporary designs in her work.
“The mighty Fraser River and the spectacular sky vistas from our 15th-floor condo are inspiring me literally in my work and spiritually,” she says in an artist’s statement on her website. “I continue to enjoy the magical cloth connection that binds me to colleagues, art lovers and students, who all respond so positively to the fabric medium that I love.”
Graham, meanwhile, has drawn inspiration from travel and from two decades spent researching traditional handicrafts in West Africa.
“The time overseas gave me the opportunity to travel, study traditional techniques and learn about other cultures,” she said in a press release. “Working in a series, I am creating a group of faces based on fragments. Fragments because, from the fragmentation of my daily life, when I sit at my loom it all falls away and wholeness is created – in fabric but also in spirit.”
Their work, along with that of the other fibre and textile artists, can be viewed until June 4.
Christ Church Cathedral is at 690 Burrard St., at Georgia. The exhibition is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. (closed Saturday, June 3).
For more on the exhibition, see www.anglicanfoundation.org.
