SUDBURY—Manitoulin’s own textile artist Judy Martin will have her work featured starting this weekend at the Art Gallery of Sudbury (AGS) in her exhibition entitled ‘Mended World,’ which will run until Sunday, March 2.
“Mended World comprises works of fabric art that are private statements of time passing and also public expression of communities coming together to create art that is grounded in a minimalist, process-based aesthetic,” states a press release from the AGS. “A mixed-media textile artist, Martin works in many media, such as textiles, photo transfers, local flora and fauna and wax. The exhibition highlights Martin’s introspective, meditative approach that is intended to engage viewers’ sense of touch and unlock deep memories of cloth and fabric in her work, material and memory are reconstituted as art that evokes archetypes of shared experiences.”
The exhibit debuted at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery this fall and features four textile panels created by Ms. Martin through the Manitoulin Community Circle Project including ‘Layers of Time,’ ‘Earth Ark,’ ‘Mended World’ and ‘Precious Water.’
The Manitoulin Community Circle Project was born out of an assignment Ms. Martin was working on through the Julia Capara School and a course she was taking on Liturgical embroidery.
The original assignment was simply planning and consultation on a project, but encouraged by former Little Current United Church Reverend Faye Stevens and members of the congregation, Ms. Martin decided to make the concept a reality.
Over 140 pairs of hands worked on the pieces under the guidance and mentorship of Ms. Martin, over four years, creating the panels to hang in the Little Current United Church using repurposed textiles.
“The pieces are being hung against white walls with brackets which make them come about one foot off the wall,” explained AGS curator Tom Smart of the exhibit. “The walls seem to disappear and the pieces float. It creates a ‘wow’ experience and is really going to allow individuals to meditate and think about the pieces. It’s going to be a dazzling show.”
“The exhibit is beautiful and I am very proud of it,” commented Ms. Martin. ”It has been the highlight of my career working with the (Manitoulin) community on these pieces and I would be thrilled if anyone who worked on the project was able to make it on Saturday.”
There will be an opening reception for ‘Judy Martin: Mended World’ at the AGS on Saturday, January 18 from 2-4 pm. The art gallery is located at 251 John Street in Sudbury.
The exhibit will run until Sunday, March 2, with the gallery open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 to 5 pm.
For more information call 705-675-4871 or visit www.artsudbury.org.
