About the Art
Mary Vaneecke
“Life is chaotic, dangerous, and surprising. Buildings should reflect it.”
Frank Gehry, architect
Context
I create to communicate my view of the world and to remember to look for beauty in the chaos that is all around us. But I must also admit that one reason I create is to control some small part of my life. My work is solely my responsibility—a fact which is both daunting and exhilarating. Finally, I make art to take up the intriguing challenge of a friend of mine: Show me something I haven’t seen before.
I hope you find my work surprising, chaotic, and maybe even a little bit dangerous. Or at least, like nothing you’ve seen before.
Processes
I take plain fabrics (black or white, silk, rayon, or cotton) and alter their surfaces in different ways. Some of my processes—bleaching, tearing, cutting and burning—are subtractive and destructive. Some are additive—like painting, dyeing, and laminating. Others—like felting— are both. In most of my work, I layer many techniques on a single surface. But my work has roots in the quilting tradition, so most pieces are layered onto other fabric and stitched to provided texture, dimension, and durability to each piece.
Biography
As the eldest of four children, I learned to be responsible for my sisters, to keep track of them, and make sure they didn’t get themselves (and by extension, me) into trouble. Later, I spent many of my professional years trying to save the world (i.e., working for various non-profit organizations). Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that the world didn’t want to be saved, any more than my little sisters wanted to be bossed around. About that time, my sister Nanci (‘the creative one’) got me involved in a round robin quilting project, and that was my entre into the art world.
I LOVE your art and when you talk about starting late you are a good encouragement to me!
I am a 62 year-young quilter trying to work with felted sweaters and wool fiber, etc…so far,I should call myself a semi-retired quilter who collects all the wool she touchs! I’m starting to make things, but the ideas in my head are much grander than my courage! I love that you make more than one of an idea, then the first one doesn’t have to suit you perfectly!
Thanks for being there for me to find, I liked your video, you seem very natural in front of a camera and I think you must have a beautiful spirt.
Thanks again, Donna
So glad you found and enjoy my work. Keep making and experimenting, as that is the only way we can get better at what we do. I find that working in a series, changing color schemes, compositions, and techniques, allows me to really explore my themes….. keep on quilting!
Hi cousin Mary,
Wendy and I really love your art work.
Wendy has experience in painting plaster craft and bisque and I have designed (and begun to build) indoor lighting fixtures, so we appreciate your art from two perspectives.
Have you and cousin Mona considered doing a combined exhibition?
Again, really love it! Keep it up, and good luck!
Wendy and William