Beth Pemberton, Artist Statement
The arts of the grandmothers and great-grandmothers are influences in my current artwork. Furniture, bowls and boxes for treasured items were painted with plants, creatures and abstracted designs derived from the surroundings in many cultures throughout the world. Garments were sewn and patched by hand and machine to clothe oneself and loved ones. Fabric items were embroidered as a meditative process as well as decorative. The women of previous generations created objects and decoration as a meditation and to enrich and enliven the lives of family, friends and community.
My current series of paintings, drawings and mixed media pieces derive imagery and craftsmanship from the art forms of regular people passing down creative traditions across cultures. Acrylic paint, graphite, ink and mineral paint bring traditional images and techniques into the contemporary world. Abstractions of folk art, Chinese painting techniques, patchwork, sewing and fiber art inspire artwork on modern mediums such as mylar. A consistent, unifying element in my work is repetition as a process to create individual pieces, and series of work that explore a process in depth.
My current series of paintings, drawings and mixed media pieces derive imagery and craftsmanship from the art forms of regular people passing down creative traditions across cultures. Acrylic paint, graphite, ink and mineral paint bring traditional images and techniques into the contemporary world. Abstractions of folk art, Chinese painting techniques, patchwork, sewing and fiber art inspire artwork on modern mediums such as mylar. A consistent, unifying element in my work is repetition as a process to create individual pieces, and series of work that explore a process in depth.
