SURFACE AND SYMBOL: SOFA CHICAGO 2004 GALLERIES AND DEALERS PRESENT ARTWORKS BRIDGING THE DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS

WOOD & FIBER

Dealers at SOFA CHICAGO will present the finest international textiles, from contemporary bamboo arts represented by Tai Gallery/Textile Arts, Santa Fe, NM to historic textiles from Asia, Africa and the Americas presented by Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago and William Seigal Galleries, Santa Fe, NM.

Seido Hatakeyama Blazing Up II, 2004 Bamboo 17.5 x 11.5 x 8” photo: Carolyn Wright Tai Gallery/Textile Arts, Santa Fe, NM	Japan Fireman's Coat, 19th Century Deerskin 43 x 53" Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, IL

Douglas Dawson, Director, Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago will exhibit a fine 19^th c. Fireman’s Coat, remarkable for its excellent condition, exotic material, beautiful patina and subtle design. Dawson explained, “Japanese folk art is universally acknowledged as possessing a superb fusion of intense aesthetic focus and practical function. This deerskin fireman's coat is an excellent example of that fusion. Given that traditional Japan was a highly combustible place - houses of wood, thatch and paper – firemen were, understandably, held in high social esteem.”

Wounaan people of the Darién Rainforest, Panamá Contemporary fine Hösig Di baskets Silk-fine strands of the black palm, Astrocaryum standleyanum (chunga), colored with vegetal dyes, sewn over coils of Carludovica palmate (naguala) 4 - 24” deep photo: Lorran Meares William Siegal, Santa Fe, NM

Laura Gaetjens, Gallery Assistant, William Siegal Galleries, Santa Fe, NM is excited to bring contemporary Hösig Di baskets to SOFA CHICAGO: “These coiled and wrapped baskets created by the Wounaan people of the Darién Rainforest in Panamá rival any of the world’s great basket weaving traditions. The once strictly utilitarian baskets have evolved during the past twenty years into a major indigenous art form. The women who create these exquisitely woven rainforest and geometric designs borrow from ancient body painting motifs and are now widely recognized as some of the finest basket weavers ever."

Dawn MacNutt Spirit Within, 2004 Copper wire, seagrass; woven on loom 63" h browngrotta arts, Wilton, CT

browngrotta arts, Wilton, CT will present contemporary sculptural artworks bridging the worlds of weaving and basketry, such as life-size fiber figures made of seagrass and copper by Nova Scotia artist, Dawn MacNutt. Rhonda Brown says browngrotta arts is also delighted to present new work by Jin-Sook So: “Korean, Japanese and Scandinavian influences create a unique amalgam in the work of artist Jin-Sook So. Born in Korea, she began her studies of modern textile art there and continued them in Kyoto, Japan. While in Kyoto, she became interested in Scandinavian art and design. In 1978, she came to Stockholm, Sweden to study at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design for two years. She never left.”

So Jin-Sook Big Empty Box, 1998 Handwoven, steelmesh band with electroplated silver and gold, painted, glued with gold leaf 26 x 28 x 10" photo: Tom Grotta browngrotta arts, Wilton, CT

Brown continued, “In Big Empty Box, So has created a two-dimensional box that seems to float off the wall. Made of woven strips, it appears strong and weightless at once. Gilding and electroplating the strips create a shimmering effect, and the resulting work illustrates So's confidence in addressing volume and form and texture and light." browngrotta arts will organize a Special Exhibit at SOFA CHICAGO 2004, presenting never before seen works by revolutionary fiber artist, Ed Rossbach.

Jon Eric Riis Senses Thirteen Moons Gallery (rollover image for fullsize view)

New to SOFA CHICAGO this year is Thirteen Moons Gallery, Santa Fe, NM representing key artists in the fiber art movement, which began in the 1970’s and continues to gain momentum and recognition with serious collectors as the borders between fine art and high craft blur. Artists include Polly Barton and John Eric Riis, celebrated tapestry weaver, renowned for his probing contemporary subject matter, expert draftsmanship, and creative surface embellishment. Janiece Jonsin, Co-Director, Thirteen Moons Gallery, said of Senses by John Eric Riis: "Senses is the largest and most complex coat form made by Mr. Riis so far in his career. His ideas and meticulous execution are arresting, magical and elegant. He is, without doubt, the most significant tapestry weaver in the United States." Riis will speak in the SOFA Lecture Series.

Grethe Wittrock Aqua Gallery deCraftig, Copenhagen, Denmark

Gallery DeCraftig, Copenhagen, Denmark presents cutting edge fiber art in new materials including stunning wall works of knotted fishing line by Grethe Wittrock, who make a presentation in the SOFA Lecture Series. Wittrock said, “Aqua is a sea of shining threads which catches the light, creating a clear blue tinge. At the end of each 73.000 threads shines a pearl of dew. It is hand knotted from 42 kilometres of translucent fishing line, and reminds us of the importance of water for all living life on earth.”

William Hunter Vallarta Sea Grass, Cocobolo 15 x 6d del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Robert Howard Eternal Return, 2004 Australian Red Cedar 10.25 h x 27.5" d Narek Galleries, Tanja, NSW, Australia

del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles will present the world’s finest turned and sculptural wood artists including Gianfranco Angelino, David Ellsworth, William Hunter, Philip Mouthrop and Sam Maloof.

Karen O' Clery of Narek Galleries, Tanja, NSW, Australia is excited about new work by Robert Howard which they will premiere at SOFA, including Eternal Return: “This piece is totally carved with hand chisels from one very large block of Australian Red Cedar. The block is from a dead Australian Red Cedar tree that was still standing on a farm in Queensland. During a visit to Australia early this year, an American collector purchased the tree for Robert Howard to use over the next few years. Eternal Return is a large and complex work, beautiful in its delicacy and symmetry and the most difficult to carve that Robert has made to date."

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