Artist Statement
Sewing, knitting, and crocheting skills have been passed down through generations, from grandmothers to mothers and then to daughters, for centuries. Hundreds of squares meticulously stitched into coverings have provided warmth and security for numerous families. As these cherished blankets were worn by time, they slowly faded and disintegrated, their beauty intertwined with the passage of history.
My journey into sewing began under the guidance of my mother and other skilled quilt makers. In 2016, I rekindled my passion for creating intricate blocks of threads on my sewing machine, weaving them together into artful assemblages. Returning full circle to the art of sewing and weaving, selecting colors and stitching intricate fragments has evolved into a meditative, exhilarating, and mesmerizing process. I bind fabrics, like Tyvek, tie threads, and paint surfaces, transforming them into fortified, almost mummified creations.
My focus extends beyond the materiality and aesthetics of weavings as mere coverings. Instead, it delves into the emotions evoked when concealed beneath various layers. Some of my yarn and Tyvek weavings feature tightly interwoven links, rigid and unyielding, no longer providing a safe, warm sanctuary. At other times, segments become so dense that they block out most light. These works illustrate a symbiotic relationship between yarns, colors, patterns, textures, and the interplay of light and shadows.
In the process of creating these works, I endeavor to connect with the pain of loss and insecurity, the act of concealing truths, the inherent vulnerability of life and death, and the inevitable process of disintegration and impermanence. Yet, I also seek to capture the sparks of beauty that often emerge within the transitions and fading away. My art serves as a continuous effort to piece together fragments of my own experiences, sometimes building up my weavings, and at other times, deconstructing them—a symbolic reconstruction of my psyche, a continual process of destruction and reclamation of myself.
Artist Biography:
Anna Wagner-Ott was born in England and immigrated to Canada at a young age. Wagner-Ott studied art at the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto, and has a Ph.D. in Art Education from Penn State University. From 2000 - 2013, she held a tenured teaching position at California State University in Sacramento. Wagner-Ott has a deep passion for color, pattern, and texture, which promote symbiotic relationships. Rarely is she satisfied with her results and often rebuilds each piece after taking it apart and reconstructing. Her sculptures metaphorically investigate memories, truth, fragility, boundaries, and the desire to be wild and free. She has shown her textile-based artworks extensively in solo and juried exhibitions in Canada and the USA since the early 80s. In addition, many private collectors in Canada and abroad have purchased her artworks. She was awarded the Best in Show at the Trinity Art Gallery at the Shenkman Center in Ottawa. She now resides and manages her studio in Ontario, Canada.
Artist Statement
Sewing, knitting, and crocheting skills have been passed down through generations, from grandmothers to mothers and then to daughters, for centuries. Hundreds of squares meticulously stitched into coverings have provided warmth and security for numerous families. As these cherished blankets were worn by time, they slowly faded and disintegrated, their beauty intertwined with the passage of history.
My journey into sewing began under the guidance of my mother and other skilled quilt makers. In 2016, I rekindled my passion for creating intricate blocks of threads on my sewing machine, weaving them together into artful assemblages. Returning full circle to the art of sewing and weaving, selecting colors and stitching intricate fragments has evolved into a meditative, exhilarating, and mesmerizing process. I bind fabrics, like Tyvek, tie threads, and paint surfaces, transforming them into fortified, almost mummified creations.
My focus extends beyond the materiality and aesthetics of weavings as mere coverings. Instead, it delves into the emotions evoked when concealed beneath various layers. Some of my yarn and Tyvek weavings feature tightly interwoven links, rigid and unyielding, no longer providing a safe, warm sanctuary. At other times, segments become so dense that they block out most light. These works illustrate a symbiotic relationship between yarns, colors, patterns, textures, and the interplay of light and shadows.
In the process of creating these works, I endeavor to connect with the pain of loss and insecurity, the act of concealing truths, the inherent vulnerability of life and death, and the inevitable process of disintegration and impermanence. Yet, I also seek to capture the sparks of beauty that often emerge within the transitions and fading away. My art serves as a continuous effort to piece together fragments of my own experiences, sometimes building up my weavings, and at other times, deconstructing them—a symbolic reconstruction of my psyche, a continual process of destruction and reclamation of myself.
Artist Biography:
Anna Wagner-Ott was born in England and immigrated to Canada at a young age. Wagner-Ott studied art at the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto, and has a Ph.D. in Art Education from Penn State University. From 2000 - 2013, she held a tenured teaching position at California State University in Sacramento. Wagner-Ott has a deep passion for color, pattern, and texture, which promote symbiotic relationships. Rarely is she satisfied with her results and often rebuilds each piece after taking it apart and reconstructing. Her sculptures metaphorically investigate memories, truth, fragility, boundaries, and the desire to be wild and free. She has shown her textile-based artworks extensively in solo and juried exhibitions in Canada and the USA since the early 80s. In addition, many private collectors in Canada and abroad have purchased her artworks. She was awarded the Best in Show at the Trinity Art Gallery at the Shenkman Center in Ottawa. She now resides and manages her studio in Ontario, Canada.