QUICK PICKS: Summer Delights - Textiles, Wearable Art

Summer!  And what to wear?

No problem; scroll down and we're sure you'll see something cool and stylish, something impossible to live without!

We're calling this post a Quick Picks because, unlike the in-depth commentary in our monthly Gallery Picks Newsletters, these will be primarily visual festivals, photo-heavy and text-light, intended to offer a tantalizing glimpse of the Gallery's latest arrivals.

Wearable Art is today's feature, specifically the designs of three textile artists, all of whom work in three great Asian textile traditions:  Batik, Shibori and Vintage Kimono textiles (which include embroidery and shibori).  All three artists utilize these traditions tested over the ages, but they are also influenced by contemporary designs and the artists' connections to the United States.  For example, the artist behind David.Bali was the Head of Artists Trust in Seattle, working with Balinese textile artisans; Mary Jaeger studied shibori for years in Japan, and is now creating her beautiful textiles in New York City; and Chiho Kuwayama (of Chiho Couture) creates modern couture inspired by her cultural traditions for the Japanese and international fashion market.

We've included the work of several jewelry artists as well, so don't wait a second longer - scroll on down!

(And as always, click on the links to go to the Gallery's online Shop for further details.)

WEARABLE ART - TEXTILES

DAVID.BALI

David's Serape

(A best seller, and we only have one!)
And ... oops... it is already

Hippari (Kimono Jackets)

Hand-drawn Batik
Left to Right:
Black and White Mums design
Indigo and White Mums design
Indigo and Beige Geometric design
Black and White Stones design

T Canda, Baju Canda, Kurta

Hand-drawn Batik
Left to Right:
T Canda, Taupe and Black Stones design
Baju Canda, Beige Oblongs on Brown Background design
T Canda, Indigo and White Leaves design (3 Sizes)

T Canda, now:

Kurta, Indigo and White Stripes design
Kurta, Indigo/Beige/Black Box design

Caftan

Caftan, Black and White Geometric design - now:

(Shown with Begona Rentero necklace)

Selandang (shawls, wall art)

Hand-drawn Batik
Above:
Shown in a long drape, Left to Right:
Indigo and White Stripes design
Black and White Geometric design
Selendang Bangladesh: Indigo and Gold Tumpal design

Below:
Shown flung across the shoulders, with flair!
(Center:  With Cihak terracotta ceramic necklace)

They can also be used decoratively; as a wall hanging, for example.

T Canda, Selendang

Another way to wear the selendang, at the hips like a sarong,

paired with a lovely top that is color-coordinating.

A quick peek at a recent trunk show:

The textiles are fabulous, as always, and we also
are very fond of the big wooden Buddha head!


MARY JAEGER

Florence Shirtdress Jacket

Three views of Mary's fabulous Florence Shirtdress jacket,
indigo/white shibori, entirely hand-done.
The detail work is stunning.  In a nutshell, though, Mary's
textiles are so wonderful, they need to be touched
to be well and truly appreciated.

Tiger Scarf

A gorgeous  scarf named Tiger and some of the many ways to wear it.
(Can also be used as wall art.)

More of Mary's items will be coming to the shop soon.


CHIHO COUTURE

Skinny and Infinity Scarves

From Chiho Couture's collection of Vintage Kimono fabric
come these gorgeous long scarves, Left to Right:

Skinny Scarf, Chrysanthemum design:

Infinity, Black and White Contemporary Chrysanthemum design
Infinity, Indigo and White Water, Bamboo and Flowers design
Skinny Scarf, Cherry Blossoms design

Infinity, Black and White Landscape design
Skinny Scarf, Turquoise with Mountains and Black Chrysanthemum design:

 

In the same order as above:  a close-up look at the
kimono fabric and motifs (so beautiful!):

WEARABLE ART - JEWELRY

JOAN CIHAK

A Seattle ceramic artist's lovely handmade jewelry items,
brand new to the Gallery:  Welcome, Joan!

Porcelain Necklaces

 Porcelain necklaces, Left to Right:

Indigo and pale celadon Porcelain Flower and Leaf

Indigo and pale celadon Porcelain and Glass

Indigo and white Porcelain Pendant

Terracotta Bead Necklaces

Terracotta beads make for bold, chunky necklaces!
Left to Right:

Black, Red and Textured 5-Stone Necklace

Black, Red, Cream and Textured 5-Stone Necklace

Red, Cream and Textured 3-Stone Necklace

From the Gallery's own collection:

Mali Glass Bead Necklace

Stunning Mali beads from Africa, threaded on
leather, sold individually in two colors, Cobalt and Aqua.
These are just gorgeous, great accent pieces that transcend
summer jewelry and can be worn singly or as a group,
in one color or mix them up.

Thanks again for stopping by; if you're in the area, please come in and meet these wonderful pieces in person.  In the meantime, we hope you enjoyed this Quick Picks post, and we'll be back soon with another!  (And of course, the next Gallery Picks Newsletter is on its way...so come back soon!)

~S. Roth

March 2013 First Friday Artwalk: You're Invited!

Bonnets, Baskets and Beads

~  Hints of Spring  ~

March 1 - 31, 2013

Opening Reception First Friday, March 1st, 6-8 pm

Musical Performance To Be Announced

Images above, clockwise from left:

Duchess, Carol Campbell; Felted Wool Basket with Speckled Feathers, Doriane Nieburgs;

Ceramic Beads, Various Artists

As hints of spring appear, our thoughts turn toward lighter skies and remembered blossoms.

The Island Gallery presents a selection of luscious spring bonnets from Seattle artist Carol Campbell, fit for any Downton Abbey-style garden party; lightweight, whimsical felted wool baskets embellished with baubles and feathers by Doriane Nieburgs of Seattle; and necklaces featuring remarkable beads, including old trade beads and contemporary ceramic beads.

Highlights: New works from jewelry artists Virginia Paquette and Christine L. Sundt.

These and other wonderful pieces will soon be available in our web shop.

To receive an invitation directly in your inbox, and notifications of other events, send your

e-mail address to us at sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll sign you up right away!

Treats for the Sweet



Pretty in Pink



Our amazing local textile and beading artist, Janet Essa Elia, came by on this chilly winter day with a new selection of her very popular floral brooches which can double as hairpins, ornaments for a purse or belt, or even a sassy addition to the toe or heel of a perfect black shoe.  Like little harbingers of spring, they warmed us with their good cheer.  We are inspired to spread around the joy: 

Janet is a native of Iraq where for 15 years she owned and operated a well-known atelier in Baghdad, specializing in custom-made, beaded clothing and accessories. She left there in 2009 and has lived in the U.S. - here on Bainbridge Island - since then. All her designs are original, and employ traditional Middle Eastern methods. The decorative work is applied by hand, using needle and thread.



Red and Purple Gauze



During the rule of Saddam Hussein, when Janet established her business, it was highly unusual for women to own independent businesses in Iraq. In fact, it still is. Besides dressmaking generally, her atelier was considered to be the finest source of custom wedding dresses and bridal accessories in Baghdad, and attracted a prominent clientele. In Iraq, weddings are extremely important social occasions and tend to be very large. Wedding trousseaux, whether traditional or modern, are typically highly decorated.

Turquoise Layers

The jewelry and accessories Janet produces are entirely hand-made by her, and are inspired by the traditions of decorated clothing with which she grew up and by contemporary international design. Her work is sold in a number of Pacific Northwest galleries and she collaborates with custom couturier designers on wedding apparel, bridal accessories, and custom gowns. Additionally, she has been featured in numerous exhibitions in the Seattle area including the Seattle Bridal Show, the Red Dress Competition, the Seattle Metropolitan Fashion Week competition, and an American Cancer Society benefit at the Museum of Flight.  Janet also offers her line of purses and framed art pieces. 

Mindful that Valentine's Day is right around the corner, our Gallery Picks for February will feature gift suggestions (including several of Janet's new brooches) for that certain someone, or even a little something for yourself...

Pure Valentine Red!

For further information or to purchase one of Janet's pieces, click on the links beneath the photos or visit the Gallery's web shop at:
www.theislandgallery.net/shop/

To receive early warnings of sales, exhibitions and musical events, send us an e-mail:
sr@theislandgallery.net

The Extraordinary: Su Olsen's Jewelry

We are honored to have carried Su Olsen's exceptional jewelry here at the gallery for quite some time now, but only recently have we added her to our online web shop. If you love ancient beads coupled with beautiful metalwork, Su's designs come highly recommended.

She also makes beautiful contemporary-look earrings and necklaces in reticulated sterling silver and copper, stretching her considerable talents down new pathways. We'll be putting examples of those in the web shop shortly.

Here are a few items we love to show off:

Silver, Sherpa Coral and Glass Necklace.

Yemeni beads of black coral embellished with silver, 1800s, and silver beads, 1800s; sherpa coral; coco disks and sand-cast glass beads from West Africa; Lohan carved beads from Asia, representing the guardians of Buddhism; pre-1700s Persian spindle whorls; and Su’s signature hand-fabricated sterling silver clasp.

Sherpa Coral, Black Coral and Silver Earrings.

Su has combined Sherpa coral glass beads from the Himalayas (1700s) with very rare black coral embedded with silver in Yemen (1800s); old silver beads from India; woven disks of fine silver from the Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle; and hand-fabricated sterling silver.

Sherpa Coral and Silver Earrings.

Sherpa coral glass beads from the Himalayas (1700s); small black Peking glass from the Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle; silver beads from India; hard-carved stone beads from China; and hand-fabricated sterling silver.

For further information on these and other pieces, please visit the Jewelry Section in our online shop.