Patricia Gillespie, Sharp Sticks

October 4, 2009 in ARTIST STUDIO VISITS

After the Bright Darkness reception at Swee(t)art Drawing Gallery last month, Patricia and I and a bunch of others ended up drinking at the Missouri Lounge and I realized how much fun she is: friendly and gregarious. I don’t have any good pictures at all from that time at the Missouri, they are all fuzzy, like we were. The pictures below are from when, a week earlier I had stopped by H Julien Designs up on Shattuck, just as her show was closing.

Incorporating upholstry juxtaposed with hypergraphic elements addressing domestic issues, Patricia Gillespie’s work breaks new ground and is a refreshingly unique voice in East Bay art.

Obi: How did you start the sewing motif/upholstry-thing in your art?

Patricia: Well, I have a background in a lot of different types of art- graphics, painting, film, art directing, set design, display/installations… just to name a few. I must say, I am a bit of a tinkerer (is that a word?). I really like the materials that I use in this work, they are accessible and they really work well together. Intially, I knew that I wanted to use fabric, but also do a bit of redefining of what quilting or textiles are typically used for and what is tradtionally considered “women’s work”. I decided to create even more dimension with a bit of wood working by cutting out the figures and text. Finally, I add my rather dry (and sometimes cynical) sense of humor, and it came together.

Obi: How do you come up with your bright color palette?

Patricia: Oooooo, I have this thing for humming and vibrating colors.

Obi: What work are you working on now after your H Julien show?

Patricia: I’m gearing up for the group show Worship of Water at the Swee(t)Art Drawing Gallery in October. So, I am digging getting back to drawing (tinker tinker).
Also, I am working on my latest series The Shrine of the Graces (I had a few pieces in the show at H Julien). They are shrines based on the Greek Mythological Graces, the Graces are not unlike the Muses, those girls are always busy inspiring other folks and I wondered what might inspire them. Of course I am maintaining the irony and humor I always have. They are a slight departure from the quilted pieces, though I’m still using fabric and wood, I have developed pieces that are more sculptural and include additional elements such as branches, live plants, and cut paper to complete each shrine installation.