Fiberworks show features energy, intensity
A flag-like mixed media work by Marilyn Artus won $1,000 Best of Show honors in the Fiberworks 2018 exhibit.
Jurored by University of Kansas associate art professor David Brackett, the show is at Individual Artists of Oklahoma, 706 W Sheridan.
Ticket stubs, school pictures, bingo numbers and old slide frames help provide the “stripes” of the offbeat U.S. flag by Artus.
Incorporating first names of female historical figures into its title, the Artus “flag” uses a Will Rogers scarf as its focal point.
Shannon Conley won the $500 Juror’s Choice award for “Nestling,” a wall quilt that seems to create sculptural pockets for baby birds.
Nancy Peterson received $500 Best in Handweaving recognition for a dark, glittering, fringed “Taos Night Shawl,” displayed on a cutout mannequin.
“Boys Don’t Cry,” a pint-size white paper cowboy shirt, trimmed with black lace, won the $500 Joe Handley Award for Emily Chase.
A grid of multicolored squares appears to sparkle on the wall in Brenda Esslinger’s “Value Study IV Quilt,” winner of a $250 best quilt prize.
More like a tight ball of energy is “Marking the Days,” a knotted, waxed linen work by Stephanie Grubbs, which won a $250 Award of Merit.
Other $250 merit awards went to Bob Curtis for his lyrical “Butterfly Flag Book” and to Martha McQuaid for an exotic “Tibetan Panel Coat.”
Winning the final $250 merit award was Julie Marks Blackstone, for a small but intense embroidered portrait of the “Empress Wu” as a “Knotty Girl.”
The annual fiber works exhibit is highly recommended in its run through Aug. 10 at IAO.