Artist:
Suzi Ballenger
Bio:
I am a fiber artist who communicates through handweaving and papermaking. Every fiber has a personality. I believe the fullest expression of a fiber can be seen through observation, rhythm, and structure. This revelation of personality is part of a conversation between maker and material and reminds me of the freedom I feel in the outdoors and the exhilaration I find revealed in nature.
Artist Statement:
This work is a dichotomy of elements. The transformation occurred within the personality of material and the intention of the maker. Inspired by a book of scientific and botanical illustrations of tropical plants I focused on the delicate beauty of a Venus Fly Trap. The fine sensitive hairs along the edges of the petal “mouth” belie the fate that awaits an unaware prey. But what if the seductive Venus Fly Trap was the actual victim in the situation? Forced to be satisfied with morsels of scavenging insects – at what point would the tender and delicate edges of her being become coarse and unaccepting?
I put myself in the position of being that carnivorous beauty and all the emotional baggage associated with similar moments in my past. Did you know it takes about 10 days for the flower to digest the protein. And the trap will die after it captures three or four insects? Yet, here I am.
Techniques Used: I created tension with the drying technique handmade abaca fiber that was beaten for 6 hours in a Hollander beater. The wet paper was dried around dampened round oval reeds. The shrinkage and slight distortion of the drying paper created the overall form. Hemp rope and handspun lokta paper added color and support to the shape. Rabbit skin glue was used to adhere separated layers and create subtle texture. Porcupine quills (respectfully and humanely harvested from road kill) were added for tenderness and drama.
Materials: handmade abaca paper, round ash reed, hemp rope, handspun lokta paper, porcupine quills
Measurements: 14" x 28" x 8"
