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Superlatives... (cont.)

A new “face” cropped up at six different shows I attended.  I was struck by this powerful abstract work that had a strong voice and showed real evolution with each piece.  Her name is Connie Lippert and she is working within the Navajo wedge weave, using only natural dyes.  I spoke with her, about her work and she showed me her portfolio.  As she came to the piece that is the beginning of this group using Navajo wedge weave, she casually commented, “This is when I had the epiphany.”  I so agree.  Within the nature of the weave, one ends with a beautiful even rhythm of a scalloping edge.  Combined with the wonderful rhythm of her color work, peaks and valleys and arrows that seem to point and direct my heart, they are beautiful to behold.  One title and piece sticks in my mind.  I Am Holding the Sun in My Hands is a piece dyed mostly with marigolds from her garden.

Finally, I would like to send a huge thanks to everyone that made all of Convergence and the shows possible.  This was my first and NOT my last!

Observations from Tommye Scanlin

Yes, the tapestry exhibits in the Denver area during Convergence were stellar. There were several tapestries in the exhibits at the Convention Center, including ones by Jean-Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie, and Monique Lehman, among others. I was happy to see everything that I did.

Here are my first impressions:

It was wonderful to see several pieces by the same artist in the “Six of One”  exhibit and also in the “Woven Journeys”  exhibit in Golden. By having examples of more than one piece from each artist there is a chance to observe diversity and similarity in each artist's creative process. It was also instructive to see the difference in the actual pieces and print and/or online versions of the work. Several of the tapestries in both shows have been published in either or both formats.

As far as ATB5, the works were thought-provoking.  I was pleased to have a piece in the exhibit, quite a small one compared to several that were there. I was most taken by a piece by the Norwegian artist, Anne Stabell. It was titled Before the Beginning of Everything  and was one of the most moving pieces I have ever experienced. She was at the ATA forum and had slides included in the showing of works after the panel discussion. Her other works were equally impressive.

The ATA day on July 3, with the business meeting, panel discussion, and opportunity for members to show 5 slides each, was what I went to Convergence for...and it was more than worth the effort.

below: Connie Lippert, Verdure, 24" x 47", 2004, photo by Robert Lippert

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