Alice Vander Vennen works with multiple found materials – fabric, branches, wire, copper, paper and ceramic shards – as part of a visual language suggesting a story. (Above: The Archer’s Dance, 25″ x 50″; found and new fabrics, hand-carved wood, sinew, copper wire, found objects)
Left: Memory Stick, 74″ X 15″; hand-woven wool, embroidered cotton, century-old hand-stitched quilt, found, embellished and new fabrics, copper wire, carved wood, stones. Centre: Hope Rising, 14″ X 50″; found, embellished and new textiles, copper, willow branch, copper wire, stone. Right: Companion 1, 8″ X 50″; embellished, found and new fabrics, reclaimed wood, copper, found objects. (Click images for larger view)
Forest, 20″ X 30″ framed; embellished, found & new fabrics, hand-carved bow, acrylic paint, copper, wire, stone
The story is part women’s history, the meaning of objects in everyday life and the collection and sorting of intriguing things. I work with fabrics gathered from many places and cultures and have them come together to create a new Canadian voice. Artist Statement
Pilgrim, 25″ X 50″ framed; embellished, found & new textiles, copper, African bark cloth, willow branch, copper wire
River Stone, 18″ X 50″ framed; embellished, found and new textiles, copper, stone, willow branch, paper
Script, 20″ X 30″; new, found and embellished fabrics, mica, hand-carved arrow
Alice Vander Vennen is based in Cobourg, Ontario, and is represented by the Oeno Gallery.
Alice Vander Vennen’s website, here.
Categories: Artisans, Textile Art
Canadian Art Junkie 
‘memory stick’, ‘hope rising’ & ‘companion 1’
evoke the same feeling as totem poles!
i love the innocence about the pieces.
you mention that they are ‘part of a visual
language suggesting a story.’ i also feel
like i’m being taken on a journey.
LikeLike
I agree about the feel of a totem pole. And what you say about a journey. Beautiful work.
LikeLike
Fascinated me… Thank you, love, nia
LikeLike
Any time!
LikeLike
These are beautiful, landscapey and rich…
LikeLike
Yes, almost opulent, aren’t they.
LikeLike
Intriguing for sure!
LikeLike
It’s almost like a mystery, trying to hear what they’re saying
LikeLike
Hear, as in meaning or in actual sound or both?
LikeLike
Right, hear as in meaning, as in the stories she says they communicate. I’m not very good at extrapolating those things, usually.
LikeLike
Love the palette and textures! Thank you so much for this wonderful blog.
LikeLike
You are so welcome. I agree on the textures, especially. They’re so well integrated.
LikeLike