Keeping Tabs is Home!

'Keeping Tabs' in its new home!

It's always to have my art touch someone enough that they want to include my art in their home. Even more so when it's a fellow artist that has chosen to include it in their collection.

Thank you Ron Pascho, Allied Arts Association: Gallery at the Park & 

Northwest Designer Craftsmen (NWDC)!

 

The Sculptural Form

 

'The Sculptural Form' "I create environmental, mixed media sculptures. My observations of nature have triggered a profound admiration for its brilliance, resilience and its vulnerability. With each project I strive to create a sense of wonder; enticing the viewer to turn that vision outwards into the natural world, nurturing an understanding of that interconnection and encouraging reflection about our relationship with the environment."

More images & purchasing details HERE

View more videos HERE

Kelp Forest

 

“Kelp Forest” an environmental installation was created using reclaimed plastic bottles. Over 200 one gallon containers were collected, washed, cut and reassembled for this project. The preparation process involved the removal of the spout, handle and bottom of each bottle, hand-cutting each into narrow strips to create long spirals. Each of these strips were cut into segments then stitched and woven into individual kelp strands. “Kelp Forest” invites visitors to walk around its ghostly form, imagining the beauty and fragility of our oceans but envisioning a hopeful and healthier future.

Special thanks to Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Rosemary Ponnekanti, Schack Art Center and Tacoma Ocean Fest.

View more videos HERE

Metamorphosis & Hives

Reminiscing about 'Metamorphosis & Hives'. Created using reclaimed plastic bottles, each individual bottle was cut into oval forms then stitched into cellular structures. This series was also created in modules enabling it to be adapted to various sites. The translucent quality of this material worked beautifully with light, shadow and video color projections. Check out another short video to see it in action HERE

Special thanks to Department of Ecology, Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, Method Gallery, Museum of Glass, Port Angeles Fine Art Center, Schack Art Center and Tacoma Arts.

View more videos HERE

 

Roots & Vines

Remembering "Roots & Vines" in all it's various translations, both within interior spaces & temporarily in nature. This series of works was originally inspired by the invasive ivy that strangles our Pacific Northwest forests. Each individual structure was created using invasive plastic bags, cut into strips then crocheted into roots & vines.

Special thanks to Bellevue Arts & Culture, CoCA (Center on Contemporary Art), Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park,  Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Schack Art Center and Storefronts Seattle.

View more videos HERE

Flourish

A multi-colored flashback! "Flourish" installation was created reusing hundreds, even into the thousands of plastic bottle caps.  This series of projects were all created in modules so they could easily adapt to each unique space. When one project was de-installed the sections were stored, then reassembled & adapted for the next space. All of the bottle caps were collected from the local communities.

Special thanks to Anacortes Arts Festival, Bellevue Arts & Culture, Bellevue Art Museum, Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, Museum of Glass, Office of Arts & Culture Seattle, Seattle Center and Storefronts Seattle.

View more videos HERE

 

De Pirro Studio Shop

Cascade, Sea Urchin, Pollinate, Nectary, & others, each is a reflection of my love of nature, fiber & texture. 

More details HERE

 

Material Celebration!

Come join us online for "Material Celebration" hosted by National Basketry Organization, Inc.

Saturday July 31, 9:00-10:30 AM (PDT)

This presentation will focus on how artists honor and celebrate their material through the making of objects which incorporate aspects of basketry. The story of how an artist discovered their material, how they gather or prepare their material, and how their material informs their work will all be presented and discussed.

 

Host: Charissa Brock

Panelists: Joel Allen, David Paul Bacharach, Christine Clark, Barbara De Pirro

Learn more HERE

 

Sneak Peek: Art of Recycling - Schack Art Center

 

"The environmental installation “Kelp Forest” is created using reclaimed plastic bottles. The artist collected, washed, cut and reassembled over 200 one gallon containers for this project. Her preparation process involves the removal of the spout, handle and bottom of each bottle, hand-cutting each into narrow strips to create long spirals. Each of these strips were cut into segments then stitched and woven into individual kelp strands. “Kelp Forest” invites visitors to walk around its ghostly form, imagining the beauty and fragility of our oceans but envisioning a hopeful and healthier future."

"Cluster installation is a reimagining of materials collected from our waste stream. These multi-colored sculptures are constructed using nonrecyclable plastics that would otherwise be discarded. Each strip is cut into segments, folded then woven into a crocheted stainless steel structure. The artist strives to create a sense of wonder; enticing the viewer to turn that vision outwards into the natural world, in turn encouraging reflection about our relationship with the environment."

'Art of Recycling - Repurpose with a Purpose' exhibit at Schack Art Center in Everett, WA runs April 1 through June 5. Learn more plus see the full list of participating artists HERE 

💚

Special thanks to Preview Art Magazine and Everett Herald for the highlight! 

🌎

Inspired by this exhibition "Art of Recycling", I'll be offering an online workshop 'Environmental Sculptures' on May 15. More details HERE

Art of Recycling - Schack Art Center

 Art of Recycling- Repurpose with a Purpose

Schack Art Center

April 1 – June 5

I will have several sculptures & two art installations included in this exhibit!

"Participating artists showcase their creativity by turning otherwise discarded materials into works of art. This exhibit aims to shine a spotlight on the environmental, social, and emotional impact of waste as well as explore new ideas about recycling and repurposing.

Though these artists come from widely diverse backgrounds, they all share a common bond: the ability to transform waste objects into works renewed beauty, utility and meaning."

Learn more HERE

FIBER 2020 - BIMA

FIBER 2020

 at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art has been extended to the end of the year! 

I have several pieces in the show but in this video tour, Greg Robinson Chief Curator talks about my installation 'Kelp Forest'. In the background you can catch a glimpse of some of my other sculptures.

View the full video tour here, HERE

Fiber 2020 explores diverse ways artists are working in fiber and textiles. Over thirty-five artists are featured in this large group exhibition, from traditional fiber arts through contemporary works and installations. Media include lace, embroidery, quilts, wearables, reconstituted and repurposed objects ,conceptual sculptures and art installations.

More details & the full list of artists here, HERE

 

Architecture and the Environment - NBO

'NBO Presents Basketry: 

Architecture and the Environment' 

is now available on YouTube. 

Thank you National Basketry Organization!

HERE

Jo Stealey interviews, Artists: Ann Coddington, Barbara De Pirro, Elizabeth Runyon and Eric Stark about their work.

FYI you can skip the first 16 minutes which was our warm-up time and not part of the presentation.

 

'Basketry: Architecture and the Environment' - NBO

'Basketry: Architecture and the Environment'

National Basketry Organization, Inc. presents an online conversation.

Thursday, September 17th

8PM Eastern / 7PM Central / 6PM Mountain / 5PM Pacific

Jo Stealey interviews, Artists: Ann Coddington, Barbara De Pirro, Elizabeth Runyon and Eric Stark about their work.  

The Juror/Interviewer

Jo Stealey

Jo Stealey is a nationally known artist, teacher and curator and most recently, professor emerita  the University of Missouri. She was the co-curator for the traveling exhibition, Rooted, Revived Reinvented: Basketry in America as well as the juror for this year’s NBO Members in Print 2.

 

The Artists

Ann Coddington

Ann Coddington is a studio artist, and Professor at Eastern Illinois University. She received her MFA from the University of Illinois in the Sculpture Department. Ann utilizes a variety of fiber techniques including twining and netting in her sculptural forms. 

 

Barbara De Pirro

Barbara De Pirro creates Mixed Media Sculptures and Installations.  Her observations of nature have triggered a profound admiration for its brilliance, resilience and its vulnerability. With each project she strives to create a sense of wonder.

Elizabeth Runyon

Elizabeth Runyon uses traditional materials and techniques to create contemporary sculptural baskets. Her large playful structures suggest movement even when they’re standing still. Her inspirations range from nature to spacecraft to Calder mobiles.

 

Eric Stark

Eric Stark is an architect, teacher, and basketmaker. He enjoys working with a wide variety of materials including black ash, white oak, reed, willow, paper, and chenille stems. He firmly believes in “Discovery through Making”. His craft has introduced him to the community of makers that he loves.

Email NBOPresents@gmail.com for more information and a link to join the webinar on Thursday, September 17.

 

Small Works!

Small sculptural works now in my DePirroStudio Shop, 

with more to come!

CLICK HERE

to see the latest...

Fiber 2020 - BIMA

'Blossom' (detail), Painted Papers, Acrylic & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

Fiber 2020 explores diverse ways artists are working in fiber and textiles. Over thirty-five artists are featured in this large group exhibition, from traditional fiber arts through contemporary works and installations. Media include lace, embroidery, quilts, wearables, reconstituted and repurposed objects, conceptual sculptures and art installations. 

Exhibition Dates: Mar 7 – Dec 31, 2020

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

550 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island, WA

WEBSITE

'Keeping Tabs' (detail), Aluminum Pull Tabs & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

'Sea Urchin Cluster' (mock-up), Synthetic Strapping & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

Basketry Now

Basketry Now

The National Basketry Association was delighted to present it's 10th biennial exhibition, celebrating it's 20th anniversary. This exhibition was held in conjunction with the 2019 Biennial Conference at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. It included established artists who have been involved with basketry for a number of years, along with emerging new makers.

Take a quick video peek inside HERE

Learn more about NBO HERE

Purchase a copy of the catalog HERE

 

Looking up....

"Sea Urchins', Synthetic Strapping & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire. 

The 'Sea Urchin' cluster is multiplying!

It wasn't my intention when I began creating these sculptures but I'm loving them as an installation.

Special thanks to local businesses who donated 'yards & yards' of strapping from their recent shipments...all of which can not be recycled & would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. 

'Reclaimed' Aljoya Thornton Place

'Sea Urchin' (White & Yellow), 'Keeping Tabs' & 'Radiate'

I currently have several sculptures included in 'Reclaimed' at Aljoya Thornton Place. "These established fiber based artists are presenting work sharing their relationship with what is reclaimed. This may be viewed in materials used, what was lost or taken away and, also by a change in circumstances."  Exhibiting artists; Jacqui Calladine, Barbara De Pirro, Maura Donnegan, Claire B. Jones, Sarah Jones, Lynne Rigby, Terri Shinn Curated by Anna Macrae

Exhibition Dates: SEPT 15 - JAN 26, 2020

Aljoya Thornton Place, 450 NE 100th Street, Seattle, WA

Beyond the Surface in St. Louis

Thrilled to have 'Sea Urchin' included in this exhibition and to be a part of the St. Louis 'Innovations in Textiles 2019'!

Beyond the Surface

St. Louis Artists' Guild, Clayton, MO 
WEBSITE

September 20 - October 23, Opening Reception October 3

Surface Design Association is a textile nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary textile and fiber art. October 3 is also the opening night of the Surface Design Associations Biennial Conference, Beyond the Surface, October 3-6. The Conference is being held in conjunction with Innovations in Textiles 2019, which features 40 textile exhibitions in greater St Louis, Missouri. In operation since 1886, the St. Louis Artists’ Guild is the oldest arts organization west of the Mississippi River. Its 5000 square foot contemporary art space in the mid-century modern Famous Barr Building will be the site of the conference’s opening and closing events as well as the exhibition.

Jurors Jo Stealey and Jim Arendt selected works by 48 artists who considered the following ideas: “Artists continually push the evolution of textiles from their long history of utilitarian use through the use of color, design, processes, and meanings. Works chosen demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision, and innovation. Whether commentary on social issues, meditations on the natural world, humor, storytelling, 

abstraction, influenced by science, or other areas of focus, this exhibition includes the best of contemporary work by SDA members.”

"Sea Urchin", created using synthetic strapping & crocheted stainless steel wire.

Basketry Now: 10th Anniversary Exhibition

I'm excited to announce that my sculptural basket 'Sea Anenome' will be included in this exhibition!

The Kentucky Museum will be hosting an international show, Basketry Now: 10th Anniversary Exhibition, from July 16-December 1, 2019. The National Basketry Organization has assembled this show of contemporary and traditional basketry with artists employing a variety of both common and uncommon techniques in a wide array of materials. Juror Heather Lineberry selected 84 works of art by 55 artists, including those from the Netherlands, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada.

This exhibit celebrates the National Basketry Organization’s 20th year and opens during their biennial basketry conference on the grounds of Western Kentucky University. Opening reception on July 16th from 5 to 6PM.

A full-color catalog for NBO BASKETRY NOW is available for order at the NBO online STORE

July 16 – December 1, 2019 

The Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University 

Bowling Green, Kentucky

More details HERE