Biography
March 2018’s artist-in-residence, Clarissa Callesen, is a sculptor working with found objects and recycled textiles. Her work is inspired and informed by her choice of untraditional materials. In choosing this medium, it is her objective to explore the margins and to find beauty and value in that which our society has discarded. She has exhibited her art throughout Western Washington including solo exhibitions at Tasty in Seattle, WA and Social Fabric in Bellingham, WA. She is represented by i.e. Gallery in Edison, WA. She was an artist in residence at Playa Artist Program in Summer Lake, OR and Brush Creek Foundation in Saratoga, WY. Her work has appeared in many national magazines and in the books “Who’s your Dada?” and “Art without Waste.”
During her residency, Callesen worked on an installation that promises to take over our gallery space, inviting you to enter a new environment, immersing yourself in a temporary world. The artwork is created with 90% post-consumer materials bringing into focus the sizable negative impact textile waste is having on our environment. Callesen is exploring inner and outer landscapes through the symbolism contained within the discarded object, looking at the connections created between the present and the unknown past, the sentimental and utilitarian, and the reality of creation and destruction. Fabric forms coexist and relate to transformed discarded objects, to explore our daily personal connection to material objects. Asking why do we treasure some objects and discard others? Why are some emotions acceptable and some distained?
Callesen says she is grateful for the unique live/work environment that is allowing her to collaborate with the physical structure of the gallery and relate to the light, angles, and architecture of Surel’s Place.
PUBLIC EVENTS
WORKSHOP
CREATIVE CLOTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO ECO-DYEING
This workshop explored the basics of Eco Dyeing with artist in residence Clarissa Callesen and allow participants a hands-on chance to experience the techniques. We discussed fabric choices and the impact of textile waste on the environment. We also discussed the large varieties of plant materials that will produce color and marks, and cover the basic equipment and safety procedures for Eco Dyeing. Most importantly guests got to try your hand at Eco Dyeing. All supplies were provided.
ART INSTALLATION
FERTILE REMNANTS
see description above.
Gallery
