ARTIST STATEMENT
This work is part of my collection Meditations On Self. In my portraits, I explored my own self-image using the approach of tapestry crochet. The collection was born from the disconnect I felt with my body and my subsequent desire to connect with my facial features—with the specific highlights, contours, shadows, and lines. Tapestry crochet, as a medium, provided a rhythmic way of crafting myself. Through hundreds of rows and thousands of stitches, I slowly found myself in the work.
These tapestries provide viewers with different experiences depending on the distance from which they view the work. From far away, it’s easy to see a cohesive image. However, when up close, the overall image is overshadowed by the complexity of the stitching. While the crafting of my portraits reflects my own understanding of myself, exhibiting the portraits mirrors my relationship to others. Meditations On Self is an invitation to see me at different vantage points.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Cat Washington is a Black, Queer, Fiber Artist based in Detroit, Michigan. She pushes the boundaries of crochet techniques to explore portraiture, identity, and the physical form. Her art career started December 2022. Cat’s most recent exhibitions include the Art For The Holidays exhibit at the Detroit Artist Market in Detroit, MI, and the Gift of Art exhibit at the PARC Art Gallery in Plymouth, MI. Cat is a board member for Fiber Club Detroit’s Programming and Professional Development divisions. She is the creator and host of the monthly BIPOC Fiber Artist Meetup in Detroit, Michigan.
© Cat Washington