Friday, June 4, 2010

Jennifer Cecere: Giant Doilies & Mandalas


I found New York artist Jennifer Cecere through one of Abigail Doan's blogs, ECCO*ECO. Her giant Doilies are arresting and demand investigation. Made from ripstop nylon and acrylic, these delicate behemoths range in size from 4' to 20' and suggest a range of familiar images, from giant spiderwebs to dreamcatchers to snowflakes. In one artist's statement, Cecere says:

I see Doilies hanging between office buildings, off bridges, over construction sites transversing spaces indoors and out, growing from the ground-up, occupying urban spaces, parks, fields, mountains, museums, sports stadiums and anywhere you might not expect to see a giant Doily. 
I was inspired about taking something intimate and handmade and making it into something large and public. Cities need Doilies!

[You can see the above right Doilie as part of The Ins and The Outs at Rockland Center for the Arts in New York, on view through June 13, 2010]

The Mandalas series, similar to the Doilies in form and composition, are created using fabric, watercolor, lace, and acrylic applied through modified pastry tubes.

"Mandalas" began with images recalled from childhood fables and fairy tales.They grew to occupy the space between art and craft, with references to traditional women's handicrafts, drawing attention to overlooked artisan work. They forge a connection between Western and non-Western art forms.

Having grown up deeply in love with my coloring book of Turkish Designs (which I still have, unmarred), I am mesmerized by Cecere's elaborate, sonorous layering. You can see more images on her Flickr.


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