Artist Information for Carolyn Carson
I am inspired by the strength of women, as they are the life force of the universe. Quilts are my medium of choice because they exemplify women’s work historically. I incorporate yarn that I have spun and then woven, also representative of women’s work. I utilize these traditional techniques in a contemporary way in order to draw attention to the lives of women in the modern world. On a more personal level, my work gives me a sense of continuity with other women – historically and globally.
I begin each work by selecting whole cloth commercial cotton batik fabric that speaks to me in some way. Sometimes I discharge part of the fabric. Meditating on the batik, I plan yarn that I will incorporate into the piece, starting with raw fleece that I wash and comb. Then I combine it with other dyed wool and silk which I spin into yarn. I weave that yarn on a circle loom or a four harness loom. Those woven pieces are then needle felted onto the cotton batik to hold them temporarily in place. After machine quilting the entire piece, the quilt becomes my canvas to paint. Images scroll down to view all![]() Shoah65x41   Photo by Ron Weiss As the title suggests, this piece refers to the Holocaust. Antisemitism, well documented, is on the rise and this reflects my concern and fear regarding that reality worldwide and in this country. ![]() Death March67x41   Photo by Ron Weiss As the allies approached the concentration camps at the end of WWII, the Nazis forced the prisoners to march for miles in frigid conditions. Many were killed or died from the elements. In the wake of documented rising antisemitism globally, these events are important to remember. ![]() Me and Judy Brown68x41   Photo by Ron Weiss Judy Brown was my best friend in first grade. I wonder what happened to her. ![]() Legacy of the Matriarchs69x43   Photo by Ron Weiss ![]() Shekinah67x31   Photo by Ron Weiss |