Precious Objects

All works are hand-embroidered and sewn using
cotton embroidery thread, fabric, and upholstery padding.
Measurements are in inches as follows: height x width x depth.
For purchase or commission inquiries, please e-mail me at julie.warchol@gmail.com.

5,625 stitches for Al Held, 2012
2.75 x 2.75 x 1
$175

2,150 stitches for Barnett Newman, 2012
2 x 2.75 x 0.75
$80

4,672 stitches for Frank Stella, 2012
3 x 3 x 0.75
$175

2,916 stitches for Josef Albers, 2011-12
2.75 x 2.75 x 1
$125

2,704 stitches for Kazimir Malevich, 2011-12
2.25 x 2.25 x 0.75
$100

9,580 stitches for Frank Stella, 2011-12
3.75 x 5.5 x 1.25
$250

2,304 stitches for Ad Reinhardt, 2011
2.75 x 2.75 x 1
$110

2,835 stitches for Barnett Newman, 2012
1.75 x 4.5 x 0.75
$100

4,096 stitches for Kenneth Noland, 2011-12
3.25 x 3.5 x 1.25
$175

2,916 stitches for Josef Albers, 2011-12
2.75 x 2.75 x 1
$125

A Statement

Artist Statement
Precious Objects
186 Carpenter St. Gallery
Providence, RI
September 1 - October 6, 2012

My works in Precious Objects confront and reinterpret the iconic paintings of geometric abstraction from the early to mid-20th century, with particular attention given to Minimalist works. The geometric paintings which inspire me are reductive, stark, and obscure on the surface, however, their bold presence is visually seductive and exhilarating. The work engages with this fundamental paradox through appropriation of these alluring images in order to recreate and re-present them as texturally-enticing objects.

With these hand-embroidered and sewn objects, I do not (and cannot) conceal my process nor my mistakes; in fact, I embrace them. To hand-make something is to infuse it with a human quality. With these objects, I reduce the monumental, monolithic, and at times alienating, icons of 20th-century geometric painting to a drastically intimate scale. Their diminutive size invites the viewer into a close and accessible encounter with each piece, allowing appreciation of embroidered image and the delicate and soft presence of the object itself.

Precious Objects

Come on over to the gallery at 186 Carpenter St. to see new work by Maren Jensen (Providence, RI) and Julie Warchol (Northampton, MA)

September 1st-October 6th, 2012
HOURS!: Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri 10am-2pm

OPENING EVENT!: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th 6-8pm
Featuring a new spoken word piece by Laura Lamb Brown-Lavoie
and an improvisational music piece by Matt Murphy

Julie and Maren are also creating a Community Quilt!
To participate, donate clean, used fabrics, clothing, sheets, prom dresses, etc. to the space at 186 Carpenter St. To witness the quilt in action, come by the gallery during open hours.

For any questions or information, contact: carpenter186@gmail.com or visit 186carpenter.com

Precious Objects

Here are some (now finished) works from the show Precious Objects Maren Jensen and I currently have up at the 186 Carpenter St. gallery in Providence, RI. All works pictured are hand-embroidered and sewn using cotton embroidery thread, fabric, and upholstery padding.

The "family portrait" of all of the works in Precious Objects minus two pieces.

Both works titled 2,916 stitches for Josef Albers, 2011-2012

4,672 stitches for Frank Stella, 2012

4,672 stitches for Frank Stella, 2012

Precious Objects Installation

Caravaggio Kitsch

Here's a work from 2009 (?) consisting of linocuts based on Caravaggio paintings on hand-sewn fabric.

NEW WORK!

After a (very, extremely) long hiatus from blogging, I have returned with new work to share. I've been working on these embroidered pieces that are miniatures of Minimalist, Proto-Minimalist, and geometrically abstract paintings from the early to mid-20th century. I'm enjoying playing with and emphasizing a hand-crafted aesthetic, which I am applying to these male-centered and stylistically sterile/clean appropriated images. The art historian in me wants to say more, but I'm going to refrain, rather reluctantly. All of these are under 6x6 inches. They are currently unfinished, as I think I'm going to mount them on stretchers or maybe on solid wood pieces. In order, they are based on the work of Frank Stella, Josef Albers, Barnett Newman, Kazimir Malevich, and Kenneth Noland. Here's a taste...