Gone to the Dogs at SeaStrands Studio

Photo credit: Erick Walsh (click photo for a larger view)

Title: As Far as the Eye Can See
Artist: Vicky Taylor-Hood
Medium: textile
Dimensions: 65”x 40”
Price: $3200

Inspiration:
As a child, one of my favorite parts of early summer was taking a boat ride in Notre Dame Bay to our house in the resettled community of Exploits Islands. One summer in particular was a good year for bergs and I vividly recall standing on the deck of the longliner and seeing bergs and bergy bits all around us, shimmering and glistening in the sun. This piece is my attempt at capturing the majesty, wonder and vibrancy of that experience.

Construction and Design:
“As Far As the Eye Can See” is constructed from cotton fabrics that are hand-painted using light-resistant acrylic-based textile paints. It is machine-sewn and quilted using an assortment of threads, including metallic and holographic fibres. The icebergs are constructed with a base of hand-dyed fabric superimposed with layers of sheers such as tulle and organza. These are carefully stitched in place using monofilament and metallic threads. The quilting is designed to enhance the depth and implied movement of the icebergs as well as to ensure excellent structural stability of the piece. The batting is cotton, as is the backing.

Hanging requirements:
This piece comes ready to hang, with the proper fixtures and hanging rods. It is actually quite easy to hang, being held by a rod through a sleeve at the top with eyelets on each end. The eyelets of the centre panel are generally attached to a wall, but can also be threaded with monofilament fishing line and suspended from the ceiling. The Outer two panels are designed to float in front of the centre panel and, as such, are to hung with monofilament in the aforementioned fashion. The overall effect of this hanging is quite dynamic, as the physical depth draws in the eye and the shimmering fabrics and threads of the front panels dance in the light as the pieces sway gently in the air currents of a room.