Meramec Choice Art: That's a Wrap

There are so many ways to create in Fiber Arts. Let's look at two artists who got wrapped up in yarn. Their art can be considered both Fibers and Sculpture.

Sheila Hicks

Through out her long career, American artist Sheila Hicks has been innovative and inspired other fiber artists.

At Yale, Sheila earned her BFA and MFA -- art degrees that mean she is like a "super-expert" in art making. Sheila learned about painting and sculpture but it was on a Fulbright that she traveled to Chile she got interested in fibers. Sheila's travel to locations around the world inspired her art.

Sheila uses traditional craft to create installations of her fiber works. (An installation is an art filled room or space where you actually are in the art rather than just staring at it on a wall. Sculptures that make you feel like you've stepped into a new world or change how you see or feel about a space.).

Known for her vibrant colors and innovative use of materials, Sheila makes us think about fibers in a new way.

Sheila's art fills a wall inside the newly remodeled Powell Hall where the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra plays. I hope you get a chance to checkout her colorful fiber art.

Let's look at another artist who created art wrapped with fiber materials.

Judith Scott

Judith Scott has become a well known American sculptor and fiber artist. Judith was born a twin and with Down Syndrome. She was mostly deaf and did not speak.

At the time in history when Judith was a child, it was unfortunately common for people with disabilities to live in institutions. Judith spent most of her life in an institution for the mentally disabled. (Institutions for people with disabilities are places where many people with disabilities used to live together, often in big buildings far away from their families)

Judith's twin Joyce worked hard and got guardianship of Judith, meaning Joyce is not her parent but legally takes care of her like her parents would. As an adult, Judith moved to California to live with her twin sister.

In California, Joyce enrolled her sister in Creative Growth Art Center, an art studio for adults with disabilities. It took some time but Judith eventually revealed herself to be a talented fiber artist.

She found objects of all sizes and would wrap them, weave them and interlace them with fiber materials like yarn and fabric. Judith's art would eventually be recognized, appreciated and end up in museums around the world.