Resist: Fibre Art Network

SEPTEMBER 22ND – NOVEMBER 4TH, 2023
project room Gallery

FEATURED ARTISTS:

This exhibition features the work of 46 FAN members. To discover the artist bios and photos of each members’ selected artwork can be viewed at: fibreartnetwork.com/exhibit/resist         
(*Please note that not all FAN members will be represented in the Resist exhibit.) 

The Fibre Art Network (FAN) is a co-operative of self-defined artists based in Western Canada. The co-operative was first conceived in the spring of 1998 by British Columbians Pat Crucil and Gail Hunt and then organized later that year by Gail. Since then, FAN has created 31 exhibitions exhibited at 98 Canadian venues and 9 International venues.

FAN members come from Western Canada – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut – and share their learning and news in a newsletter (10 issues per year.)  It is a long-distance meeting of minds that spans artistic challenges as well as geographic ones.

Members also meet in community-based subgroups and for an annual conference where they connect and share as they stretch their comfort zone and take their art to a new level.

FAN membership includes emerging fibre artists, teachers, authors, judges, and award-winning textile artists. Many have shown their work nationally and internationally and some have won both national and international recognition for their work. The cooperative engenders fellowship of like-minded friends and celebrates differences as well as common interests.

‘Resist’ is an art technique that uses several layers to expose or define a design in negative space. Resistant substances are applied as a coating to protect a surface during some process e.g. prevent dye adhering.  

Resist can be artistic, positive, negative, frightening, or enlightening… to stand firm or hold out (against), not yield (to), fight (against). To resist something such as change – you refuse to accept it and try to prevent it… resist temptation of… couldn’t resist teasing or laughing at…

The Fibre Art Network (FAN) group represents a dynamic and vibrant collective of skilled fibre artists, encompassing members from western Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Serving as a tangible embodiment of their creative synergy, FAN stands as a testament to their shared passion for the intricate world of fibre artistry.

In conjunction with the Resist exhibition, FAN is prepared to host its annual conference from September 20th to 23rd, 2023, at Penticton’s Lakeside Resort. This year's conference has garnered significant anticipation, as it offers an environment that nurtures creativity, forges camaraderie, and facilitates the unhindered flow of intellectual exchange.

The conference program pledges to present an extraordinary array of activities, enhanced by a diverse range of speakers, demonstrations, member-driven trunk shows, a pop-up shop showcasing an array of artistic treasures, and an intimately curated exhibition titled "Close Up." This exhibition provides an introspective exploration of their craft. The entire program is meticulously crafted to ignite one's imagination, ensuring that the conference is overflowing with insight and innovation. ◆