CA Fibers at Soka University

This expansive showcase curated by California Fibers, a prominent statewide collective, features 66 captivating pieces crafted by 22 Southern California artists. Each creation embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary artistic exploration, spanning a diverse array of mediums including weaving, basketry, sculpture, quilting, embroidery, felting, surface design, knitting, crochet, wearables, and mixed media.

Initially evoking nostalgia for childhood crafts and materials, these works reveal upon closer examination a profound depth of skill and conceptual depth. They serve as poignant reflections on themes of home, nature, and pressing contemporary issues.

Michael Rohde's intricate tapestries, woven from hand-dyed wool and natural dyes, intricately play with geometry and color to stunning effect. Julie Kornblum ingeniously weaves together the traditions of basket-making and weaving to produce vibrant, patterned wall pieces incorporating both yarns and repurposed plastic bags.

Among the highlights is Lynne Hodgeman's monumental "Altarpiece," an 8-foot-wide, 15-foot-long installation crafted from crocheted light brown rayon thread. Its ethereal presence exudes a rhythmic and spiritual aura as it gracefully adorns the gallery wall.

Charlotte Bird's "Small Wonders" stands as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, a large-format quilt meticulously pieced together from hand-dyed commercial cotton, silk, and polyester thread, embellished with intricate machine-stitched embroidery. Within its circular pattern lie a myriad of organic shapes and vividly stitched images.

Equally compelling is Susan Henry's "Vortex," a striking wall installation comprised of numerous hand-cut pieces of recycled men's wool trousers, meticulously arranged to captivate the viewer's gaze.

Together, these artworks represent a rich tapestry of contemporary fiber art, pushing the boundaries of both material and expression.

 Vortex - Susan Henry - recycled men's wool trouser

California Fibers Exhibition, Contemporary Works, Soka University, Aliso Viejo, California.

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