Sheila Hicks: Weaving as Metaphor

by Nina Stritzler-Levine (Editor)

This intriguing book examines the small woven and wrought works artist Sheila Hicks has produced for the past fifty years. With their distinctive colors, thoughtful compositions, and narrative, these miniature creations reveal the emergence and continuity of the artist’s approach to her work. Internationally recognized for her mastery of a textile vocabulary of extremely different scales—sculpture, tapestry, site specific commissions for public spaces, environments of recuperated clothing and uniforms, and more—Hicks has thoughtfully crafted miniatures throughout her nomadic career. The palm-sized works present a record of her remarkable and personal journeys.
Focusing on some one hundred miniatures from public and private collections, the book demonstrates the breadth of Hicks's concerns: her persistent inquiry into the mysteries of color, her playful yet reverential subversions of weaving traditions, her surprising range of materials, and her exploration of new technology. From initial experiments based on pre-Columbian weaving structures to a 2005 sculptural project using ninety colors of synthetic filaments, these small works offer a unique opportunity to access and examine the artist's conceptual and technical forays. The volume includes informative essays by Arthur C. Danto, Joan Simon, and Nina Stritzler-Levine as well as illustrations of the artist’s working tools, related drawings, photographs, and chronology.


Published in association with the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture


Exhibition Schedule:

Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture (July 13 – October 8, 2006)

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2006

Reviews

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

well i just read this in one sitting and now all i want to do is go home and build a small wooden loom asap (and i will)

[Michaela Anchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll refer to this big beautiful book for years to come. A gorgeous photographic reference of hundreds of Sheila Hicks’ small weavings, printed on thick, luxurious paper and bound beautifully. The book itself is an artwork. The essay by Arthur Danto misses the mark by a mile, the rest is lovely. An absolute treasure and now out of print. Took a lot of (time and money) tracking down via Abe Books to get a copy to Germany. I adore it.

[Lyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's so perfect it brings tears to my eyes. the design, the content, her work. nothing but love.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how extensive this volume is, I could do without some of the essays.

[Noortje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel inspirerend boek voor mijn werk op school (kunstacademie)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

book design.

[Moments of Kabir]

Its inda mix...

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary!

[mial · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredible book design and lovely experience to read, the sort of thing you can open throughout and be met with something thoughtful and well imagined