When did you become interested in knitting with wire?

Around 1996, when Minneapolis was hosting Convergence for the Hand weaver’s Guild of America.

I was very involved (as a volunteer) with the art wear show. A woman named Kerry McDermot from Arizona had 2 machine-knit copper garments in the show. Something clicked for me and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I went into our basement in search of wire, found some florist wire, and knit a doll.

Dolls? Where did that lead?

So then I got intrigued with non-traditional materials. Because I am frequently outside walking and grew up often in the woods, I started collecting stuff that might be used for knitting (tree roots) or was inspired by stuff to work into knitting (sticks, rocks). The tradition of basket making, and the range of materials being used in that textile medium, have influenced me.

I also was intrigued with the challenge of shaping and knitting—-for example–hmmm-how would I knit that vase shape; how would a make a knit box, etc. The transparency, shadow play, and rigidity of wire were all exciting explorations for me. Somewhere in all of this, I moved away from the folk art sensibility into work that was increasingly conceptual. I was always seeking and learning and looking for the melding of textile and craft into the world of fine art—a split that continues to intrigue me.

Opening Soon:

My Father’s Religion

June 4- July 12

Opening Reception: June 17, 7-9pm