Fabric of Life by Susan Stanek

The Lowell Ledger, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, page 9

by Emma Palova. 

The "Entwined Lines" show is not just about lines or collages.  Most participating artists took their work a step above the obvious.

In her mixed media piece "The Fabric of Life," Susan Stanek used acrylic on woven canvas.  Stanek painted on squares of canvas different situations like a picnic on the lake with only a picnic basket and a red checkered cloth.

In the same painting but located in the right quadrant of the large canvas, is a woman and a child wearing a red checkered scarf.  That red checkered motif of fabric appears again on a different square with a dog, and on another one with a horse.

The artist wrote on the edges of the painting, different words that form the thread of life.  Like the companionship that is depicted in the painting in the square with the dog wearing the re checkered scarf.  The scarf also reflects warmth.

Love, affection and adoration is captured on a square with a couple sitting on the lake in the sunset.  And surprisingly there is a small patchy-like piece with a field and poppies. 

The entire canvas reminds one of serendipity or the pure joy of discovering something by accident.

Artist Irene Wordhouse offered a completely different interpretation of the theme in her pastel "Yellow Laces."  She painted a lace over shoes that don't lace up, like sandals.

Patti Sevensma's photographic montage "Family" shows different lines intertwining between the mother and a baby and the father.

"The show is really more conceptual than just weaving or working with fiber," said Lorain Smallingan, Lowell Area Arts Council director.  "We've split up pieces between us and the Franciscans."

Artists like Karen Cornwell, art and marketing director at the Franciscan Life Process Center, entered one piece at each venue.  Her acrylic "Coming Unraveled" is on display at the arts council, while her "At the End of my Rope" is at the life process center.

So, the organizers want the show to go beyond just arts, quilts and weaving.  "We had this idea of lines and lines intersecting and layering," said Cornwell.  "We're so excited to see how people interpreted this.  I thought we would get a lot of collage."

Going beyond is reflected in Ted Bergin's photography showing lines between "Life and Death."

"The artists amaze me," said Cornwell.  "They were so creative."

Smalligan said she is hoping for more entries next year.  A writing category may be incorporated into future shows.

"I think it's wonderful, people thought outside the box," she said.

The show at both venues runs through July 16.  There is an on-going interactive weaving wall at both places for children and adults.  Receptions are on June 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.