Sunday, May 22, 2011

sea anemones, two ways

sea anemones, two ways

on my recent wanderings on a nearby beach, i have been surprised at the way that many sea anemones nestle in sand, rather than clinging to exposed rocks as i am used to. i've since realized that of course there are many types of anemones around here, and each has their preferred habitat. this led to these new stitched pieces, continuing in my shore fragments series. on left is a moonglow anemone (similar to this one), on a sandy spot with a few clamshells and other shore debris. on the right are a pair of giant green anemones tucked under a barnacled rock.

a different take

each cloth measures roughly 8"x8". while on my last fragments piece i added a braided cord for hanging, i am thinking these would look nice framed with a wide white mat, and i think i will mount them on archival stock so that they are ready for framing. a shadow box frame would work well so that the glass will not touch the layers of fabric. i will let you know when they are available in the shop

KVP_3643

with pretty much all my work originating in the wilds of the west coast, the creatures that inhabit this area are very important to me. there are areas of this coast that are natural jewels, where the way of life has been the same for thousands of years. recently, an oil company from the alberta tarsands is lobbying to build a pipeline over the rocky mountains and across northern bc to the coast, crossing many sensitive watersheds. once this dirty crude reaches the coast, it will be loaded on tanker ships to head to markets overseas. there are no oil tankers on this coast right now. annie wrote about this recently, as she lives much closer to the affected area than i do. however, if there is an oil spill on this coast, we will all be affected. and with our winding waterways with many islands and tidal challenges, even the oil company admits it is a matter of when, not if that spill will come. if you get a chance, i highly recommend the 44 minute documentary spoil. it is a breathtakingly beautiful look at the great bear rainforest, and shows what would be lost if oil tankers are allowed on the coast. i try not to preach very often, but this is a huge issue that could change our coast irreparably. i spent the whole film on the verge of welling up, both in awe at the scenery of the coast, and how it could all disappear.

okay, enough out of me. i hope you are having a good (long, if you are in canada) weekend. i am headed out later this morning with my friend who is going to show me how to harvest some cedar bark for weaving. i have been wanting to try this traditional first nations activity for a while - i will share more if i am successful in my weaving!

10 comments:

erin said...

I am grateful to both you and annie for sharing more about this issue...I too felt very emotional while watching SPOIL, and I too don't know what the end result will be, but I want to stand for the beauty and health of our coast, for all to continue to savour and enjoy and walk with.

Your latest pieces have turned out beautifully, and I'm hoping to see them in the shop soon. I thought about how nice they would both look hanging from a little crooked piece of driftwood stick...I can't wait to see them complete!

Marchi Wierson said...

I really hope the oil plan is defeated. I am also in love with the coastline. I love the sea anemones. you have really captured the feel of them.

kate said...

The sand dwelling anemones are my son's favourite.

Lisa at lil fish studios said...

Preaching is certainly welcome on subjects such as this. It's infuriating to think of the chances we continually take with our precious natural worlds.

On a happier note, these are just stunning. You have such a way with fabric, color, and subject.

Lovely World said...

These are gorgeous. I would like to watch Spoil, but I know it would probably make me upset. I'll probably give it a go anyway. Information is knowledge is power, right?

Maggie said...

Beautiful, beautiful work. I love seeing how you translate such jagged and prickley surfaces as rocks and anemones into a medium that is so soft.

As for 'Spoil', sometimes a little preaching is necessary...it makes my heart ache to think of how easily greedy and short-sighted companies can destroy a habitat that is beyond any price.

Rachel said...

I say preach away...it takes many voices to be heard over those advocating such destruction.

These pieces are stunning K...they may quite possibly be my favorites of what you have done so far. A beautiful blend of colors and textures...

joanie said...

These are amazing k, I love the colours!
I'm so sorry to hear about the proposed pipeline. No good can ever come from it; it's just another short term measure requiring long term destruction :(

Anonymous said...

these pieces are simply amazing :-)

murgelchen said...

It´s only wonderful.
LG,
Helga