Fold. Gather. Stitch. Dye. Paint. Construct. Wear.

Fold. Gather. Crumple. Stitch. Dye. Paint. Stencil. Cut. Collage. Fringe. Stiffen. Construct. Weave. Wear.

These are all things Barbara Fugazzotto, the artist behind our July “Facets of Fabric” exhibit, loves doing to fabrics.

Fan by Barb

Barbara starts her fabric projects with a vague concept in mind, but is always surprised by how they develop and finish. Many of Barbara’s fabrics have been acquired while traveling.  She likes to work with flat fabrics to make stick fans and masks. Her fans have geometrical patterns mixed with abstract shapes. Her masks have a similar look, and are rectilinear. Both combine vibrant and with dark hues to create an interesting palette. She says that she is in the process with the materials, and they tell her as much as she tells them what to do. Her fabrics can stay two dimensional or they can become three dimensional. Barbara said in her artist statement, “whatever fabric can be, whatever can happen to fabric, that’s what I love to do.”  Plus, if you were to purchase one of these art pieces, you will be receiving a piece of Barb’s life story.  A story is always treasured along with art.  Come check out her work all July in the gallery.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” (Lao Tzu)

(Today’s Blog was co-written by Cyndi Casemier and Emma Baty.)