Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1472485
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 6 - 12, 2022 UCW 17 SONI MARTIN,Gallery 208 Curator. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910- 484-6200 that exemplifies the ways in which artists respond to materials and the endless possibilities of any medium to express an idea. Sisk has been in- fluenced in many ways to continue to work in fabrics and eventually printmaking. "I am a collector of materials and tools, machines, patterns, books, paper and thread; I have a willing- ness to try something new, and a fascination with nature," she said. "In any work I create, I am always trying to share my love of nature — especially trees. Trees are so beautiful and fantastic no matter the shape, condition, size or type. I have an appreciation for forms and colors; I notice textures and see beauty in places and things many people might not. I see color most of all. I would like for the viewer to see what I see — beauty in the way I have used colors and shapes. Hope- fully, the viewer will be transported to their own memory of places in nature." e progression from fabric to screen prints as a material for her work has been natural. "After so many years of cutting up fabrics, it seemed natural to cut up unsuccessful silkscreen prints and use the colorfully inked paper sur- face in some way. What began as an experiment, cutting the silkscreen into long bands of color, then weav- ing them into an abstracted image, became an exciting way to work with the printed image." When asked about the pleasures of working with fabrics or printmak- ing, Sisk shared the importance of enjoying the process and working towards a finished product. "Sometimes, solving a problem is a joy because the problem allows you to think in a different way — occasionally even allowing collabo- ration with a family member. It is satisfying to hear the solutions and work together. For both, just being creative is a positive activity that makes me happy. With fabrics, the art form includes so many variations that it is impos- sible to 'get tired of it.' Plus, it is a 'clean' art — requiring no water or solvents — nothing to clean up after I am through — except little threads on the floor and other little messes made from scissors and fabric. In printmaking, you have the advan- tage of multiples. But I like the monotype printmaking approach — weaving together parts to make one unique print." Since all mediums have their advantages and disadvantages, Sisk explained, "Since I don't use plain fabric, it's difficult to find fabric with the colors and pattern I like. I love tools, but scissors and needles can get blunt and thread breaks. Unfortunately, sewing machines themselves can break. Quite differ- ently, the tools for printmaking are simpler — almost primitive — and not inclined to break. However, the supplies used in printmaking, like ink, can be difficult to get consistent for an edition. For me, printmaking requires more patience than sew- ing. In silkscreen printmaking, dry- ing time prevails; after pulling one color, the screen must be cleaned, then areas blocked out and have to dry before the next color; drying time is required before one layer can be added to the older layer." Working with fabrics has always been an enjoyable hobby through- out her life, yet Sisk did not become a professional artist until after a non-art career. With the many responsibilities as a military spouse, Sisk earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree for Exceptional Chil- dren in the late 90s and became an educator. It wasn't until she went back to school in 2013 to take some art classes at Fayetteville State Uni- versity that she decided to complete the FSU Visual Arts degree. While working on the arts degree, Sisk began exhibiting her work; as a professional artist, her works are in many private collections. Intersection is more than an exhibit of works by Martha Sisk; the exhibit is a tribute to ways in which an artist explores the potential of material, alternate surfaces, shapes, color and texture. Hopefully, visitors will leave the exhibit excited about the possibili- ties of any collection of supplies, crafts or art and see the potential to express and share something beautiful, an idea or a feeling with unexpected materials. e public is invited to attend the opening reception for Intersection: Textiles and Printmaking by Martha Sisk on July 12, between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. e exhibit will stay in the Gallery until Sept. 30. Gallery 208 is located at 208 Rowan St. Hours of operation are Monday to ursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For infor- mation, call 910-484-6200. Top this page: "ank You, Monet" is an 18" x 24" inch framed work created from an assortment of many, many small pieces of fabric arranged to create an image. Bottom this page: An 18" x 24" woven silkscreen in the exhibit titled "Borne Along by Dreams" is an example of how Sisk was influenced by her experiences in fiber arts to create an original type of fine art print. Left page: "At Journey's Edge" is 18" x 23" and was created using a woven silkscreen technique. (Photos courtesy of Soni Martin)