Fancywork Series
Fancywork is a series that celebrates women and their handcrafted masterworks with intricately carved lace-like wood relief prints
I see lacework as something belonging to women. It’s one of the few fiber arts made by women with a historic connotation of great worth. Similar to my prints, lacework often features motifs inspired by nature. The intricate nature of both carving and lacework demands a high level of skill and commitment to produce.
These creations are what I consider to be my fancywork.
The term “fancywork” was chosen for this series due to its dual connotations.
— On one hand, it can be seen as a derogatory label for women’s fiber art, reflecting a history of undervaluing female artists that continues even today.
— On the other hand, fancywork also signifies one’s finest craftsmanship. The level of technical expertise, artistic flair, and dedication evident in these detailed works is truly remarkable.
I named Punto in Aria, which means stitches in the air, after a type of needle lace that doesn’t require a framework for support…
Media: Wood relief print on mulberry paper
Size: 15” h x 15″ w
Queen’s Lace is named for a type of needle lace–Point d’Alençon–which is touted as the queen of laces and the lace of queens. I also named it for the queenly printmaker who inspired me to make this print as well as the rest of my Fancywork Series.
Media: Wood relief print on mulberry paper
Size: 15″ h x 15″ w
I created Women’s Work in honor of Frances Myers, who was retiring from teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the time…
Media: Wood relief and silkscreen print on gingham
Size: 15” h x 15″ w