October 10 - November 14, 2020
A solo exhibition featuring work by Rebecca Shewmaker.
From the gallery:
“My work germinates in my hiking and traveling experiences. The idea for this exhibition began as I walked many colorful trails in the Guadalupe Mountains during the first week of November 2019. The Guadalupe Mountain range is protected and open to visitors in two national parks: Guadalupe Mountains in west Texas and Carlsbad Caverns in southeastern New Mexico. My trip coincided with the peak fall colors of the maple and oak trees. Known as a sky island, the geography and climate of the Guadalupes form several distinct habitats within the surrounding Chihuahuan desert and create the bewildering experience of seeing autumnal reds and oranges next to the dusty-browns and grey-greens of the desert. From the salt basin dunes at the base of the mountains to the coniferous forests within the peaks, the Guadalupe Mountains are a vast feast of artistic inspiration.
When I returned home to my studio, I realized that I could dedicate years of work to this region, but settled for 7 months. I began each threadpainting by dyeing cotton fabric for sky and land. I then spent countless hours sewing straight and zig-zag stitches with my sewing machine. For more texture and detail, I hand-embroidered French knots and straight stitches. Each piece incorporates a variety of threads and fibers. Like seasonal changes and growth found in nature, my process took considerable time, energy, and labor.
For me, embroidery and sewing embody a tactile sense of the comfort and peace that I experience when I’m in the places I depict. When I find beauty in nature, I am reassured that this world provides a good home and a place where I can flourish. I am recharged so that I can do my part to protect and nurture these places of restful splendor. “
On View: October 10, 2020 | 1–5 pm
1011 Dragon Street
Dallas, 75207 TX
(214) 855-0779
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