Friday, May 9

Take it Further Challenge - May

I think I'm done with our little trip to the Nilgiris and can get on with reporting what I've been upto this week one of which is the Take it Further Challege for May.

The challenge is to visualise and represent how you describe youreself as an artist.

Now that's a difficult proposition.
When asked what I do my response is I'm a textile designer because that's what I qualified as.
This usually baffles a number of people and those who don't want to appear "duh!" will then ask what type of clothes I make to which I'll have to say I don't make garments or know how to sew on a sewing machine for that matter but I do know how to weave and print. Very few and usually the ones who are genuinely interested will carry on the conversation at this point.

I don't think any one term fits or describes my artistic endevours because a number of caps fit - artist, craftsperson, teacher, craft consultant and textile designer.I think the list could be endless if I can come up with variations, permutations and combinations of this list because all these areas of interest and specialisation overlap and the edges blur to become my skills, interests and areas of work.

So this month I"m going to create a collage of pieces created using the different techniques I know and use.The colour palette is a change and I'll try and stay true to it but like previous months I might stray a bit. After all if I'm describing what type of artist I am it would mean brighter and deeper tones, more Indian if you can know what I mean - refer the new look of my blog :0)

No post is really complete without a visual I think ,so here's one of the pages for Jan, Feb, Mar and April stitched together. The book I intend these challenge pages to become is slowly taking shape.
I've ironed on fusing on the backs of the pages and clear sugar beads embellish the edges of the pages. The pages stitched together form little pockets and I was wondering if I should put in a layer of sponge or not. What say?
Its elections this weekend in Bangalore. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

18 comments:

pRiyA said...

oh, to open my mouth wide, swallow this, and run away...

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thanks Priya.

allie aller said...

The book will be an heirloom one day in your family!
The May TIF theme has me baffled too. So I am procrastinating...
Loved your tour of the Colonial Clubs!

Anonymous said...

Hey Blogeshwari...Really glad u started writing..stumbled upon this by chance. Keep going as we need people like u to spread cheer(and art) to the world. Here's hoping some of your attitude rubs off to the rest of us through your blog.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thank-you Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Hi Blogeshwari...I feel leave the sponge out. It makes the artwork ordinary. Like those quilted cushions or runners made of polysilk.Also if there is a function for this artwork...why make everything have a purpose you might ask but for people who dont have enough knowledge to appreciate or understand the work a little functional element (like a making it a photo album or calendar or even poems attached to the pages)would give them a reason to take notice of the whole concept and appreciate the details.Just an opinion...

Magpie Sue said...

Ah yes, therein lies the rub! (that so many descriptors or labels apply) A collage does seem the most efficient way to address the challenge, doesn't it? Your challenge pieces are going to make a fantastic book. Have you considered slipping an 'artist statement' into the pockets between the pages and leaving the top edge open so they could be removed and referred in the future?

Maya Sara Matthew said...

I've decided to do away with the sponge idea but making it a functional product ... well,no that's something i won't be doing. This is an artist's book so if it doesn't strike someone as interesting it doesn't matter.Thanks for visiting again Anonymous (commenteshwari).

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello there Sue, good to hear from you.I did think of the artist statement slipped into the pockets and didn't do anything about it but I think I should reconsider.

Pat said...

I think your wonderful little book should stay just as it is.....a small treasure! Pat at birdnestontheground

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello Pat, thanks for visiting.I'm not one to really rip things out and start over ( only if I'm knitting) I just try and incorporate unusual abberations into the overall design so you never know what something ends up being.Makes it more of a trasure to me and i'm glad it shows.

Timaree said...

An artist statement. I guess that's what I was going to suggest. I just think of them as the "story" of each piece. Sometimes art makes a statement and sometimes it tells a story but either way that would make your heirloom intelligible to a future generation.

As far as your TIF challenge, I have read the same thing elsewhere - how to describe who you are when no one label fits. Your collage idea sounds wonderful. I'd love to see it in Indian colors myself.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Yes an artist's statement is important I think.
I try and stay as true to the colour pallete Sharon picks out each month with a little straying as thus far I haven't really strayed so its not very Indian in that sense.

mzjohansen said...

OMG - that book is amazing. What aterrifc idea for the TIF pieces. Thanks for sharing !

Anonymous said...

This is going to be fabulous piece! such a treasure for you when you look at it in the future! Great idea!
And thank you for visiting my blog and leaving encouraging comments. It very appreciated!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

hello red2white,thanks for visiting.

DILLY said...

LUVLY LUVLY LUVLY!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comments re my campaign to get into teaching - having fun looking at your lovely work - I especially like your idea of a book for the TIF's beautiful!!

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