August 7 – 17
Closing reception: August 16, 5 – 7pm
My work is representative of my lineage; of the textile makers and gardeners extending back through multiple generations of my family - in particular along matrilinear lines. Exploring my inherited skill to see and understand how textiles are created,
Through my practice I have been making sculptural works that are achieved by dipping textiles in a liquified clay (slip). When dry, I fire the slip-coated textile in a kiln. The original textile/flower is burned off, leaving behind only the hardened ceramic material. I refer to this process as ‘casting’ textiles/flowers. I have been recreating family heirlooms, by making them anew with my own medium.
This process has led me to think about protecting family heirlooms; Taking an heirloom that can be destroyed naturally by time and transforming it to something that will not break down over time but is much more fragile. Precious objects at risk of natural decomposition are preserved and protected, while also becoming more fragile.
My desire is to celebrate the labor and honor the work of the women who have passed these skills down to me; I plan to literally and figuratively take up these threads to make them my own; to translate textiles and flowers into pottery.
About the artist
Sackville-based mixed media artist Kaeli Cook cherishes everyday objects—like the mug no one else is allowed to use and knitted socks that stay warm until they develop holes. Her work explores opposing concepts of preservation, destruction, durability, and fragility.
Kaeli works in ceramics, textiles, and mixed media. She Is educated in ceramics at NBCCD in Fredericton and has cultivated a life-long obsession with textiles and growing flowers. She has been active in the contemporary art community of New Brunswick for close to two decades. In recent years, she has been experimenting with new techniques using her chosen mediums, clay and textiles.
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