EN(d)VISION: A textile arts show by Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer

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Friday, September 23rd, 2016
Sept 16 6-9pm Sept 17-25 12-4pm Closed Sept 20

EN(d)VISION: A Textile Arts Show BY Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer. "EN(d)VISION" is a selection of work which explores a variety of concepts related to aging. My signature abstract wall hangings address my consideration of my age and my place in the world as an artist and a person while my dolls and crones celebrate my long and precious relationship with my husband, Gary Holdgrafer. Earlier in my career I often found myself making work to fit someone else's criteria. As a result my designs sometimes suffered. I began to consider ways to improve them. What I discovered was by paring down, I frequently improved the work.

Here you will see several pieces that have been edited, chopped and reworked. The designs are stronger and they more accurately reflect my own style. The second part of the exhibition is a series of collaborative pieces created with my husband Gary. These dolls and beaded characters reflect an invaluable aspect of my life which is this partnership. Here we combine two aesthetics, two different approaches to create something that reflects both. The late Jack Rosenberg, the founder of Integrative Body Psychotherapy and his wife Beverley conceived of the concept of the End Game. They suggested that when one doubles their age and cannot reasonably expect to have surviving peers they have entered the End Game. With awareness of this significant phase of life one can make bold choices regarding how to spend one’s days. I intend to continue to make art but I am no longer interested in adhering to the requirements of others. I plan to experiment and play more. There is nothing to prove and no one to impress. With this freedom I envision making work that engages me until I can no longer work. My plan is to continue to work until the end of my life.

The show opens September 16th from 6-9pm at 377 Berry Point Road, Gabriola Island. With the exception of September 20th, the show can be viewed 12-4pm September 17-25th.

Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer is a textile artist. She loves the colours and textures of fabrics and threads. They connect her to a long line of needle women who created beautiful things from simple materials. Originally from Kansas, Mary immigrated to Canada in 1974. She says her family came for an adventure and found a home. She lived in Edmonton for 40 years and moved to Gabriola in 2014. She has an undergraduate degree in Home Economics and a Master’s Degree in Education. In addition, she has studied with an array of teachers including Nancy Crow and Eric Maisel. Mary began making quilts and teaching quilting techniques in the 1970s. However, it was not until 1993 that she began working full time as a textile artist. In addition to creating abstract wall quilts, she teaches and writes about the creative process.

Mary has curated numerous exhibitions and maintains a small creativity coaching practice. Recently she has begun collaborating with her husband, Gary. Together they create a variety of dolls and beaded characters. Gary makes faces from polymer clay and Mary responds to their unique character. Mary takes great pleasure from this collaborative process. Her work has been shown in national exhibitions in Canada and the United States. It is held in collections in Canada, the United States, Australia and Japan.