Roots & Vines

A glimpse into my Mixed Media Sculptures; Encircle, Entangle, Entwined & Intertwined.

Materials used: Crocheted Fiber, Acrylic & Stainless Steel Wire Armature.

"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."

View more about my art here, http://depirro.blogspot.com/

 

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

 

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 

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

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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.

 

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

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. 

'Kelp Forest' Extended!

'Kelp Forest'

Great news, 'Kelp Forest' has been extended through this Fall!

If you didn't make it to Tacoma Ocean Fest, there's still time to see it installed in this incredible historical space...also be sure to check out Annie Crawley's photography displayed on the gallery wall behind.

'Kelp Forest', 15ft wide x 10ft deep x 8ft long, created using over 400 reclaimed & reinvented plastic bottles. 

A HUGE thank you to Ocean Fest Tacoma, Rosemary Ponnekanti, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation & Foss Waterway Seaport for funding & hosting this project!

Our appreciation also to Alec Clayton for his thoughtful words highlighting this important event! ARTICLE

Foss Waterway Seaport 

705 Dock Street 

Tacoma, WA 

Take a virtual stroll through the Kelp Forest...

Tacoma Ocean Fest

Tacoma Ocean Fest

Celebrate | Learn | Protect

June 10, 11-4 

FREE

Foss Waterway Seaport 

705 Dock Street

Tacoma, WA

My new Environmental Installation 'Kelp Forest' will be featured at Tacoma Ocean Fest. Created using hundreds of reclaimed plastics, in mass I have collected, washed, cut & reassembled over 300 plastic bottles. The completed installation will be suspended up high within Foss Waterway Seaport enabling visitors to walk underneath it's ghostly form.

Ocean Fest is a one-day free festival on Tacoma’s waterfront for World Ocean weekend. It brings the community together through arts, sciences and water play to celebrate the ocean, tell about its threats and inspire people to protect it. Big thanks to Greater Tacoma Community Foundation for funding this project and to Rosemary Ponnekanti for the invitation!!

Learn more about the festival here, Tacoma Ocean Fest 2018

'Flourish' at Seattle Center

'Flourish' is now installed!!

This is what 3,000+ bottle caps look like. Installed at Seattle Center Poetry Garden through January 2018.

Special thanks to Office of Arts & Culture Seattle and Seattle Center for highlighting & funding this project!


‘Flourish’; thousands of plastic bottle caps reclaimed, drilled then stitched into multi-color eco-banners. Each abstractly representing & celebrating the multicultural mix of people in our community.

Photo Credit: Seattle Center

Photo Credit: Seattle Center

Photo Credit: Seattle Center

'Nests' in Shoreline...

'Nests' a temporary environmental installation within an urban forest in Washington state.

These 30 sculptures are woven out of the invasive ivy that strangles both our urban & rural forests. Each nest has then been harmoniously installed throughout South Woods Park in Shoreline.

Thank you Shoreline Public Art and City of Shoreline Parks & Rec for this opportunity!

A close-up video glimpse of a 'Nest" in motion HERE 

'Bloom' is now in New Jersey!

'Bloom' on view now at Sally D. Francisco Gallery in New Jersey, 

'All Things Considered: Basketry in the 21st Century'.

I'm honored to have my sculpture included in this exhibit, such a wonderful mix of artists!

Thank you National Basketry Organization, Inc. and Peters Valley School of Craft!!

And here's a short video of 'Bloom' in motion at American Art Company in Tacoma, thanks to Mary Coss for sharing! VIDEO

Presented by the National Basketry Organization, All Things Considered 9: Basketry in the 21st Century is the ninth in a series of juried biennial exhibitions intended to show the full spectrum of work currently being executed by well-known and emerging artists in the United States.

The exhibition opens in conjunction with the 2017 National Basketry Organization’s conference in Tacoma, Washington. From black bamboo to reclaimed plastics, it represents a broad range of approaches by artists working within the field of contemporary basketry. Showcasing excellence in creative exploration, technique, craftsmanship, these 70 artworks were juried by Lloyd Herman, the founding Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery from 1971 – 1986. Herman is also the author of Art That Works: The Decorative Arts of the Eighties, Crafted in America. He lives and works in Seattle, Washington. Exhibition catalog available for purchase August 1, 2017.

Exhibition Schedule: 

July 20 – August 26, 2017: American Art Company, Tacoma, Washington

September 16 – October 29, 2017:  Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton, New Jersey

March 29 – June 9, 2018:  Society of Arts + Crafts, Boston, Massachusetts

This exhibit is made possible with support from the Lenore G. Tawney Foundation and the Windgate Charitable Foundation.

Artistry in Fiber: Sculpture

Honored to have my artwork included in this exquisite book, 

'Artistry in Fiber: Sculpture', an incredible mix of artists!

Thank you Anne Lee, E. Ashley Rooney & Schiffer Publishing Ltd.!

Check out a short video glimpse HERE!

Meet the Artist: Lacey

Meet the Artist: Lacey
Show & Tell, Conversation & Snacks

June 2, 1-3 PM

Washington Department of Ecology

300 Desmond Drive SE

Lacey, WA

The installation of 'Metamorphosis' is now installed at the Washington Department of Ecology! This project spans three floors, illuminated by an ever-changing glow of natural light!

'Metamorphosis; a series of opulent chrysalis forms representing a transformation from the humble & forgotten into the exceptional. As nature creates life cell by cell so I've created these sculptures. Hundreds of plastic bottles reclaimed & hand cut into individual cellular shapes, then stitched together into a multifaceted organic structure.'


Barbara De Pirro creates environmental, mixed media craft, sculpture and installations.  Her artwork has been exhibited in Museums, Galleries, Sculpture Parks, Art Centers and Public Art Organizations. She is a member of Northwest Designer Craftsman, Surface Design Association and National Basketry Organization. De Pirro is an Artist Trust Fellowship, Residency and GAP Grantee. Her artwork is also highlighted in multiple publications including; ‘TextileArt Around the World’, ‘Green Art: Trees, Leaves and Roots’, World of Threads, Fiber Art Now and Surface Design Association.

Special thanks to the Washington Department of Ecology and Artist Trust for all your enthusiastic support!

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“This event is also made possible by the Artist Trust​ Fellowship grant. The Meet the Artist event is part of the grant whereby award recipients outreach into a community unaware of their artwork."