Blarney Yarn 8/23/22 Blarney Yarn 8/23/22

Char Norman: Hope

Year: 2022

Category: Design

Venue: Convergence 2022, Knoxville

About Char:

Char Norman is an accomplished fiber artist specializing in weaving, papermaking, and fiber sculpture. Her work addresses environmental issues and the enduring need for all things to exist in a symbiotic relationship with none dominant over another. She received a Master of Fine Art from Claremont Graduate University, a Bachelor of Art from Scripps College and participated in numerous residencies across the nation and abroad. She has lectured and exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally, winning numerous grants and awards. She has developed and conducted workshops for all ages, worked as a consultant to area schools and community arts organizations, and served as a trustee for Greater Columbus Arts Council. She held the positions of Associate Provost and Dean of Faculty at Columbus College of Art & Design. Now as a fulltime studio artist, she draws inspiration from her many travels and explorations of natural environments. Her work can be found at www.charnorman.com and https://www.instagram.com/charstegernorman/

About the work:

Hope

Most of my work speaks of environmental issues and the need to protect and respect the natural world. The woven parts are inspired by seed pods and to me represent either wombs or shrouds-nurturing nature or grieving its demise. In this piece I wanted to present a more uplifting viewpoint. The woven pod incases milkweed seed pods which have already released their seeds into the world. The colors are soft and serene to aid in the feeling of quiet hope. The forms are fitted together in an attitude of harmony. My work usually starts on the loom where I engineer the shape of the pod. Off the loom I finish the edges and further define the shape by coiling the edges. The piece is the assembled with natural materials which I have found on my many nature walks.