artist statement
I was drawn to weaving as a result of my passion for color and texture. Weaving a variety of fibers, the sheen of the silk, the the warmth of handspun wool, the matt quality of cotton, the intersection of bright color combinations are all part of my creative fuel.
My studio was originally a guesthouse on our property. It houses a 10 foot wall frame loom, and an AVL 16 harness floor loom which offer me choices to weave out my ideas. Following the MFA program at Fireworks in Berkeley, and JFK University in Orinda, CA., I enjoyed a master class on color gradation with Helena Hernmarck.
My cousin was involved with the University of Washington Medical School. He arranged for me to sit in on a viewing of an electron microscope; a device that magnifies cell and tissue images 150,000 times to aid in patient diagnosis. While I sat quietly in the back of the darkened room, my imagination raced-watching the images of biological samples that comprise our interior landscape. I was hooked. I began drawing and painting cell and tissue imagery.
When I saw Leo Villareal’s exhibit of circular moving light sculptures it reflected on this cell imagery. I created a triptych in which the first panel used this cell imagery, the second represents parts of a computer motherboard, giving reference to Villareal’s method of adding light and life to these forms. The last element is how this plays in the function, and decoding of the universe.
Since this period I have enjoyed working on commissions with Interior Designers and Architects, and am honored to to have my tapestries in six local permanent collections; The Nevada Museum of Art, The City of Reno, and The University of Nevada, Pennington Health Science Building, Renown Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Bank of America, and over 50 personal and corporate collections.
Teaching in the Museum School for many years has revealed that my passion for color and texture is a shared one, and the resurgence of handweaving and fiber arts is playing a significant part in the development of the art scene nationally.
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Having always been a lover of gem stones, in retirement I began pursuing jewelry design. I enjoy the challenge of reworking old pieces, calling my collection “Rewired Vintage”. My current work includes necklaces often crafted from old broaches, and multi strand treasure necklaces, highlighting small crosses, unique little finds, and unusual bead combinations.
I enjoy teaching at the Nevada Museum of Art offering Introduction to Tapestry Weaving, and Intermediate Tapestry Techniques, and in Rio Verde teaching Jewelry 101 basic stringing, and Jewelry 201-multi strand necklaces.
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-Antonia Lowden
studio photos
