Featured Artist Emily Dvorin

Using everyday common materials in a non-traditional way, fiber artist Emily Dvorin creates wonderfully fun and quirky baskets. To see more of her work, please visit her website.

 

Inner Strength

“Inner Strength” Painted reed, suede, ribbon, metal, plastic tubing, fabric and cable ties, 20″ x 16″ x 16″

 

I call myself a “sculptural basket maker”. I am a contemporary basket maker, creating one-of-a-kind, non-functional, non-traditional sculptures. I have been a fiber artist for more than 35 years. I started out doing macrame.

 

Terpsichore

“Terpsichore” Lampshade, ballet slippers, lace, elastic, fabric, buttons, thread and cable ties, 15″ x 18″ x 18″

 

I am known for my innovative, transordinary vessels made with everyday, common materials using traditional basketry techniques in a non-traditional way.

 

Isaac's Lunch

“Isaac’s Lunch” Fruit-crusher tops, plastic letters and cable ties, 11″ x 11″ x 9.5″

 

I am a conceptual artist; with a visual language, I tell a story by sculpting, weaving, assembling, sewing, and coiling, constructing, altering and interacting with material, repeating singular elements, manipulating pattern, color, design and texture.

 

Spun

“Spun” Sculptor’s armature wire, slinkies and cable ties, 12″ x 19″ x 19″

 

My use of re-purposed, re-contextualized materials is commentary on overconsumption of commercial goods, societal excess and throwaway consumerism. My work references everyday life and our relationship with our urban environment.

 

My Universe

“My Universe” Tomato plant cage, fabric, plastic, zippers, embroidery floss, pencils, straws, needle point canvas, buttons and cable ties, 43″ x 25″ x 25″

 

I am challenging the original definition of basketry. I transform the ordinary into whimsical vessels, creating dense arrangements of familiar urban objects.

 

Read My Face

“Read My Face” Fabric, paint, reed, embroidery floss and cable ties, 19″ x 15″ x 13″

 

I am inspired by materials. I find them everywhere and anywhere. I am noted for my use of “odd-ball” ingredients such as cable ties, plastic tubing, straws, shoulder pads, ballet slippers, wire, hardware cloth, zippers, hair curlers, bobby pins, mountain-climbing rope, chopsticks, newspaper bags, and ordinary household items. All is recognizable in my work.

 

Memoir

“Memoir” Shoe laces, elastic, snaps, hooks, zippers, hairpins, ribbon, velvet thread and cable ties, 10″ x 16″ x 16″

 

I grew up in the 50s on the East Coast. I taught third grade in the 60s, got married, had children and moved west to Marin County, CA in the 70s. After owning and operating a contemporary crafts store in Marin for 35 years, I retired to live my lifelong dream of being a full-time artist.

 

Kid Stuff

“Kid Stuff” Plastic bucket lid, jump rope, rulers, pencils, party favors, vegetable netting and cable ties, 12″ x 18″ x 18″

 

I now have a studio in Sausalito and I teach, speak, consult and exhibit all around the country.

 

Nostalgic Peanut Bar

“Nostalgic Peanut Bar” Gutter screening, travel pins, cracker jack prizes, custom guitar picks made from credit, debit, gift and ID cards, cocktail umbrellas, measuring tape, telephone wire and cable ties, 19″ x 8″ x 8″

 

My goal is to keep going! I am driven to create and teach and share my love of this art form. I am determined to make an exuberant, visual statement in today’s world and continue to pursue the love of my life!

 

Emily invites you to follow her on Facebook.

 

 

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Comments

  1. What unique art you create! I can see the twinkle in your eye in these wonderful baskets.

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