"Softscapes and Hardscapes"

by Elyse Koren-Cammara

Upon entering the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art's the Chicago Tapestry: Johnson/Kuchma/McGinn & Friends exhibition, "Softscapes & Hardscapes," the viewer is transplanted into a non-traditional landscape…. Lialia Kuchma's tapestry, "Wing Left" melded perfectly with Laurie Shaman's clay vessels, truly a match made in heaven.

above: Lialia Kuchma, Wing Left, 96" wide.
Pictured with Lauri Shaman's ceramic vessels.

David Johnson's "Ancient History," "Prairie Roots," and "Seeds of Memory" extend the previous artists' metaphors of earthliness, its "softness/hardness." …

above: David Johnson, Ancient History, 35" x 28", 2005. Cotton warp, wool weft, seed beads, wire, painted felt, mounted on stretched canvas.

below: David Johnson, Prairie Roots, 25" x 17", 2004. Cotton warp, wool weft, coco heishi and beads, waxed linen, painted felt, mounted on stretched canvas.

above: David Johnson, Seeds of Memory, 36" x 15", 2004. Cotton warp, wool weft, coco heishi and seed beads, waxed linen, painted felt, mounted on stretched canvas.

Johnson's "homey" landscapes seem calm, poised, simple. But something is brewing behind these doors. We know the tide has turned when we happen upon "Grandmother's House" and "Hairy on the Inside."

above: David Johnson, Grandmother's House, 28" x 20", 2005. Cotton warp, wool weft, coco heishi and seed beads, waxed linen, painted felt, mounted on stretched canvas.
below: David Johnson, Hairy on the Inside, 26" x 19", 2004. Woven as two separate panels separated by dog hair filter. Cotton warp, wool & cotton weft, seed beads, waxed linen, mounted on stretched canvas.

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