Barb Bend

Barb Bend

brbend@gmail.com

Website: http://www.barbbend.com/

   Roberts, WI, 54023

As a fiber artist, I am drawn to the rich heritage of cloth and the story it tells through its content, color, design and cultural history. I work with fabrics that have their own integrity and voice. In my fiber sculptures, I explore the interplay of cross cultural fabrics stitched side by side with a reconfiguration of contemporary “throw away items” that share the pattern, color or texture. I look to these contemporary items, such as snaps, perm rollers, zippers, for their design elements and ability to attach and repeat thus creating a rhythmic pattern to sew on to these fiber sculptures.

The armature of my sculptural forms are welded metal, fencing or electrical wire. The shapes are built up by tightly wrapped strips of knit t-shirt fabric to create a solid form. The result is a firm, self supporting structure that can withstand the weight of the materials I choose to use. This structure also allows my forms to flare out with movement to express the spirit of life and energy of emotions.