Knitting Art
Knitting Art
(Be sure to scroll to bottom for AWESOME PHOTOS)
Knitting Art is a beautiful and inspiring book authored by artist Karen Searle. It presents the work of 18 gifted artists who use knitting as their medium. The variety of techniques shown here is astounding, but even more impressive is the tremendous range of aesthetics, scale, and message. Some use knitting as part of constructed environments that carry political and feminist messages, some make sensuous objects, some are exquisite craftsmen working on a small scale, others create grand installations.
Among my favorites is the remarkable work of Debbie New, including her Brain Hat, a knitted brain that really is a hat and Granny Square, a breathtaking, huge portrait of her grandmother created from individual log cabin knitted squares. New is exceptional in working in so many genres and levels successfully. Other highlights are Anna Maltz Naked Suit, a full body sweater that paints a naked body on the wearer; the comical, expressive beaded figurines of Reina Mia Brill; the subtle, innovative dying techniques of Jeung-Hwa Park and the technical feats achieved by Kathryn Alexander with her specially spun "energized yarns." Every single artist is worthy of attention. Each artist has a lengthy interview, with ample examples of each one's work and very good photos. The details given by the artists on specific techniques they use in making their work is much to be appreciated. The fact that the book is written by an artist is evident in the focused and informative content.
Studying a book like this makes one realize how constraining it can be to create only for a mass market, or only for the purpose of making patterns. This is a book that's bound to spur many to stretch their own creativity. I aim to take to heart the words of Lisa Anne Auerbach whose Knitting Manifesto, republished in Knitting Art, begins with these words:
This is a call for a dynamic, new direction for knitting!
This is a call for a dynamic, new direction for knitting!
and ends
Chart your message, and wear it proudly. . .. Resist Fashion. Manufacture your own brand. Embrace Tradition. Learn from History. Shatter the present. Create the future. Stitch by stitch, we can and will change the world. The revolution is at hand, and knitting needles are the only weapons you'll need. Stop making scarves; start making trouble.
Consume less.
Create more.
Knitting is political.
BEGIN IMMEDIATELY
Stirs me to the depths, it does.
Shown below, from left to right: dress by Kathryn Alexander; fabric by Jeung-Hwa Park; Body Count Mittens by Lisa Anne Auerbach; Shell Canyon, by Debbie New; Woman Within, by Karen Searle; body suits by Anna Maltz
