I make quilts, though I do not consider myself a quilter. I use a wide variety of surface design techniques, such as dyeing, screen-printing, embroidery, appliqué, discharge, quilting, and direct application of dye and pigment, to create both small and large-scale wall hangings. Repeated imagery, frayed edges, translucent overlays and hand stitching are standard elements in my work. I am interested in the mystery, haziness and uncertainty of life and nature. These ideas come through in my work.
My current work revolves around the themes of family, history and nature. I believe that the past has never really passed and that we are the products of those who came before us. Families are shaped by the experiences, decisions, victories and defeats of the preceding generations, even generations lost from conscious memory. My work attempts to explore my own family’s past and how it has shaped my actions and beliefs. I also explore in the work how my feelings about families in general relate to my thoughts on nature. Both can be comforting and peaceful while also containing the potential for great danger, sadness or disappointment. |
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Kim Eichler-Messmer, fiber artist, was born and raised in Iowa. In 2002 she received a BFA in drawing and printmaking from Iowa State University. Kim recently graduated with an MFA in textiles from the University of Kansas. While in graduate school, Kim taught a variety of textiles classes. Her work has been exhibited nationally in numerous juried shows such as 28th Annual Contemporary Craft in Mesa, Ariz., The Edge of Excess in St. Charles, Mo., and Fiber National 2007 in Lancaster, Penna. She is married and has two cats and a guinea pig.
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Barren
hand-dyed, printed, quiltedm cotton fabric and handstitching,
71"w X 38"h
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Natural Selection
hand-dyed, printed, quilted, cotton fabric and handstitching, 25"w X 50"h
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Don't Look Back
hand-dyed, printed, quilted, cotton fabric and handstitching,
50"w X 28"h each
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Identifying the Aggressor
hand-dyed, printed, quilted cotton fabric and handstitching,, 28” x 51"
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