Tag Archives: Philadelphia Fiber Art

Homelessness

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Homelessness, Carolyn Harper. MUSE Gallery
Lemuel, art quilt, 5.5′ x 5′, Carolyn Harper, MUSE Gallery

Look Me In The Eye: Portraits of Homelessness

Carolyn Harper, MUSE Gallery

I am a Philadelphian and an artist with an upcoming exhibition in Old City Philadelphia at MUSE Gallery, “Look Me In The Eye: Portraits of Homelessness” is a show of large art quilts and oversized hand embroidered drawings that use personal stories of homeless individuals, Philadelphians, to inspire empowerment and  create visibility of those who have been left behind by our society.

My work combines art and action to produce meaningful social impact. The implementation of portraiture within quilting serves to empower the persons depicted, enabling them to see themselves through their own stories rather than qualifiers such as “jobless” or “homeless”. Through conversations and active listening, I learn about the individual stories of these overlooked and ignored community members. The large scale work forces the audience to confront images of people they would rather not see, and bear witness to the stories behind them. 

Carolyn Harper

This work is extremely relevant to the times we live in, and I am grateful to The Puffin Foundation for providing me with a grant in support of my work. The Artist Reception will take place at MUSE Gallery, 52 N. 2nd Street, Old City Philadelphia, on Friday, November 1st from 5 – 8 pm. The exhibition runs through the end of November; Gallery hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 12-5.

For more information and images please visit about Carolyn Harper: www.carolynharperart.com

About Muse Gallery:

Mission: Established late in 1977, the Muse Gallery is an artists’ cooperative dedicated to encourage and promote its members’ artistic expression through abstract, conceptual and representational forms. Reflecting an aesthetic that awakens awareness, the Muse Gallery affirms the shared experience of art between the artist and the community.  Please see the membership page to view a detailed history of Muse.
To join the Gallery: Muse Gallery is always interested in potential new members. We are often fully staffed and maintain a waiting list. Please visit our membership page.

Thank you to Carolyn Harper for the content of this post.

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stadler-Khan

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Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, scarves

Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, scarves

DoN spotted stadler-Khan designs at the InLiquid V.13 exhibit in the Crane Arts Center. There was a moment when a beautiful lady wearing a jacket made in the diamond pattern, but in a different color way, were in the same space at the same time as a display of patterned, woven scarves. It was magical, Kiki Gafney Philadelphia painter, created a mini performance piece just walking by the table. The bold pattern draws attention, Alex Stadler designs the pattern and color combinations to be bold, exciting and strong.

Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, scarves

Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, scarves

“I opened here on June 1st, we’ll have our one year anniversary. I started the scarf company in the Fall of 2011. The store really started in a way to show my textiles. But, man can not live by textiles alone, so, I just started making the store that I always wanted it to be.” – Alex Stadler

Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, furnishings

Alex Stadler, stadler-Khan, furnishings

“So, it’s a mix. The ceramics are from the middle of the last century, I have a special table now for Waylande Gregory, we have him as well. He lived from 1905 to 1971. I work with his estate so I have a lot of pieces by him. He had pieces in the 1939 Worlds Fair and got lots of commissions, this work is work he did for high end department stores. As a money-maker.

I’ve always done well with textile design, that’s one I did for Donghia. In 2010 I really focussed on my children’s books and writing them and then I just missed pattern, so it was time.” – Alex Stadler

Read about the upcoming Larry Collins and Dermot Meagher art show at stadler-Khan on DoNArTNeWs Philadelphia Art News Blog

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Written and photographed by DoN Brewer except where noted.

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Which Side Are You On?

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Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Shawn Towey, William Way LGBT Community Center

Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Shawn Towey, Which Side Are You On?, fiber, $600.00, 2012, William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show

Inspired by the song of Florence Reece 1900 – 1986.

The William Way LGBT Community Center 8th Annual Juried Art Show drew 80 entries from artists winnowed to a show of twenty-five outstanding works of art by Philadelphia artists. The three top award winners will have a group show in 2014. The art show is in the lobby of the historic gay community center in Philly’s famous Gayborhood.

Shawn Towey‘s fiber wall hanging is rife with information and infinite inter-changing patterns. Each of the diamonds flips to reveal a different image. The collage effect drives a strong argument with it’s flipping photos but the beads attaching the tips are bead letters saying the words, “Which Side Are You On?“. Spelling out the ultimate question of the day. The story never ends.

“Which Side Are You On?” is a song written by Florence Reece in 1931. Reece was the wife of Sam Reece, a union organizer for the United Mine Workers in Harlan County, Kentucky. In 1931, the miners of that region were locked in a bitter and violent struggle with the mine owners called the Harlan County War. In an attempt to intimidate the Reece family, Sheriff J. H. Blair and his men (hired by the mining company) illegally entered their family home in search of Sam Reece. Sam had been warned in advance and escaped, but Florence and their children were terrorized in his place. That night, after the men had gone, Florence wrote the lyrics to “Which Side Are You On?” on a calendar that hung in the kitchen of her home. She took the melody from a traditional Baptist hymn, “Lay the Lily Low”, or the traditional ballad “Jack Munro“.[1] Florence recorded the song, which can be heard on the CD Coal Mining Women.'” – Wikipedia

Come all of you good workers
Good news to you I’ll tell
Of how that good old union
Has come in here to dwell

Chorus
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on? – Florence Reece

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