The
word art may immediately conjure up canvases,
brushes, and paint, but the realm extends far beyond a single medium. In fact,
those working in textile arts regularly produce an abundance of goods that we
employ—and wear—in our everyday lives that we may not realize fall under the
far-ranging umbrella of art at all.Luckily, this faction is well represented at the 21st
annual Eastside Culture Crawl,
which will fling open the doors of over 500 ateliers around the city from
Thursday to Sunday (November 16 to 19). Below, a smattering of the textile
pieces—from knit scarves and tuques to beady-eyed leather creatures—that you
can expect to see.
Hannah Joan
A textile artist with experience—and a healthy
interest—in the world of architecture, local designer Hannah Newton brings a sculptural sensibility to her
handcrafted leather bags. Her backpacks, totes, and pouches are
vegetable-tanned, offering them a natural look, while functional pockets and
buckles ensure everyday practicality. We’re a big fan of Newton’s Handbag No.
1, which boasts brass-ring handles and exposed stitch that impart a decidedly
vintage feel.
Leather Monsters
Cotton, wool, and terry cloth are what traditionally make
up stuffed animals, but self-described monster maker Lisa Lee crafts hers using leather. Most
notably, the designer ditches the adorable bears and bunnies from our youth,
instead favouring one-eyed beasts, fanged sea creatures, and other one-of-a-kind
beings sporting fuzzy hair and droopy smiles. The leather ages beautifully over
time, producing an heirloom toy that owners can pass on for years to come.
Caitlin Ffrench
An accomplished textile artist and painter, Caitlin Ffrench has tried her hand at weaving,
felting, crocheting, and everything in between. However, she has a particular
talent for knitting and has crafted a wide assortment of wearables, including
scarves, shawls, tuques, and even decorative doilies. Naturally dyed by Ffrench
herself, most of the artist’s pieces are in dark, witchy hues, though she
occasionally plays with vibrant yellows, reds, and blues.
Nana Fro
Brazilian fibre artist Mariana
Frochtengarten creates textiles for the body that allow her to exercise
her love of batik, a dyeing technique in which wax is applied to certain areas
beforehand to prevent them from being coloured. Leggings, shirts, and socks are
splashed in swirling shades of olive, crimson, and turquoise, while scarves are
adorned with soft plaid and geometric patterns. Frochtengarten produces
silkscreened and embroidered pillows that employ colour and pattern in liberal
doses too.
Source: News Times, United Kingdom Friday, 17 November 2017