Exordia: Waterstone Gallery with Shawn Demarest

Introduces work from the Tenacities and Opulent Fibers series

In Kún’s Tenacities and Opulent Fibers series, fine wool fibers constrain and contort steel wire, testing this hypothesis of strength, mirroring her own perseverance.

Inspired by tufts of wool snagged along wire fence lines of grazing pastures, this latest exploration reveals a beautiful relationship between these materials, creating translucent panels, towering structures and enduring imagery.

PROCESS: Annealed black wire (steel) is formed as a warp on a tapestry loom. Linen threads woven into the warp gently bind the panel which is then freed from the loom and sandwiched between gossamer layers of fine wool. The wool is felted through an intense wet process of hand rubbing and agitation, where the fibers bond together tightly; Grabbing, contorting, and moving the steel wire along the way.

Naturally, rust forms on the raw steel during this wet process. It is preserved and inhibited from further environmental influence by saturating treatments of hot encaustic medium. Frames of local maple constructed by the artist.

The “Tenacities and Opulent Fibers” series was completed during Kristy’s recent PNCA/ Leland Ironworks residency, at local sculptor Lee Kelly’s studio. There were storms the beginning of the month and on the first day of her residency, the wind whipped wild in the trees…