Committed brings together the obsessive, repetitive and detailed work of Steward Fanning, Emily Comeau, and Madelaine Pippa Bartlett.  This title reflects the resolve of the artists to see the tedious processes involved in their work through to their completion.  As the press release states such dedication “border[s] on the neurotic, skirting the fine line between committed and committable.”  These processes centre around small gestures of the hand (doodling, quilting, paper making, embroidery, bookbinding, screen-printing, netting, crochet, and knitting) accumulated through much time and labour. 

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 Steward Fanning

Fanning's work, at the front of the gallery, includes 2 large-scale unstretched canvases covered in fine, multicolored concentric lines. These abstract drawings resemble topographical maps in their complexity, detail and colour, and they undulate with illusions of three-dimensionality.  Closer inspection reveals these drawings are made using everyday materials such as glitter and fluorescent gel pens and pencils.  The line quality is stitch-like due to rhythmic variations in pressure, while other lines resemble loose flowing threads, underscoring the time and labour behind the work and an appreciation of it’s hand production. 

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Emily Comeau

 The subtle white-on-white patterning of Comeau's toilet paper studies occupy the middle of the gallery space.  In Cascades (2009), she has re-created rolls of toilet paper with sheets of her hand made paper, delicately stitched together.  It requires close scrutiny to appreciate that each sheet has been hand-embossed with a watermark pattern.  Unlike their commercial, mass-produced counterparts, Comeau's hand-made replicas also have jagged edges, leaving the watermark patterns slightly askew while the paper itself appears stiff and rough in texture.  In 2 Ply (2009), a large piece of white silk is quilted with white thread, showcasing the variety of patterns that can be found on various brands of toilet paper.  Again these patterns are very subtle, and are only revealed due to the light cast on the relief of the puckering fabric.  The fact that the quilting is left unfinished further emphasizes the process and the labour involved.  Comeau’s work questions the value of toilet paper as a material yet also addresses the usage of traditional craft techniques, emphasizing the time and care she has spent in her travail

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 Madelaine Pippa Bartlett

At the back of the gallery is Bartlett's exploration around the phrase “again and again”, taken from a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke.  Her work is highly tactile, showcasing various materials and processes.  Using repeat print, crocheted text, embroidery and various mixed media and textile techniques she has managed to create the sensation of ongoing, circular processes and thoughts.  Falling Canvas Speaks (2009) is an apparent endless printed yardage covered in the words “again and again”.  This seamless repeat print gets the eye moving rhythmically.  This movement continues in Books on a Shelf (2008-2009), a 12 foot wooden shelf covered with “books” created using various textile media and processes – all of the spines read “again and again and again...”  Barlett's work underscores the repetitive processes seen throughout the show.  However, rather than seeming stifling and monotonous, the work is soothing, lulling the viewer in its repetition.

All of the work in Committed has a strong material sense and is highly tactile in nature.  While Bartlett and Comeau use traditional craft and textile processes, the everyday materials used by Fanning make his work accessible in much the same way.  Aside from some installation issues, such as the dominant creases in the unstretched canvases, the work is precisely executed and highlights each artist’s obsessive commitment to their artistic practice.

 Committed was shown at the VAV Gallery of ConcordiaUniversity, at 1395 René Levesque O., Montreal, from July 20 – 31, 2009.

Bio: Alanna Lynch:, winner of the 2009 Ada Lovelace Cyber Award, for Outstanding Creative Potential, Studio XX, Montreal QC , she has just completed her BFA, with distinction at Concordia University , Montreal , QC,

2005-2006, Montreal Centre for Contemporary Textiles, Montreal , QC

1997-2001, Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston , ON 

 

untitled, 2009, silkscreen on cotton muslin, 52 x 92 x 4, 52 x 133 x 4, 64 x 124 x 4 cm

About her work and future plans she writes:

 My work is textile based with a performative aspect.  I work in an intuitive and experimental manner with materials and processes aiming to create a space for the inappropriate.  Using my own body as reference, I reveal personal information (vulnerabilities, feelings of marginalization or dissonances) and force myself to confront private feelings of shame publicly.  This is self-provocation as well as an act of defiance.  I am drawn towards subjects that push boundaries and make myself and others uncomfortable.  I like to experiment with social expectations regarding appearance and behaviour and with preconceived notions of what is valuable.

Future plans: In general, I hope to continue my practice while I teach and travel and eventually I would like to complete an MFA.  More concrete plans for the next year include a potential group show I am working towards in March.   I will continue to work with hair as a material as well as develop my drawing skills.  I would also like to continue working with electronics.  

Mon travaille est basse dans les fibres avec l’influence de la performance.  Je travaille d’une façon intuitive et expérimentale avec des matières et processus dans le but de crée une espace inconvenant.  En utilisant mon propre corps comme début, je révélai information personnel et me force de faire face à des sentiments privées de la honte.  Ceci est de l’auto-provocation ainsi que une geste rebelle.  J’aime les sujets qui défient des frontières et qui rendre moi-même et les autres mal a l’aise. J’aime expérimenter avec des expectations sociales autour des apparences, du comportement et avec des idées de la valeur.