ARTIST STATEMENT
Employed with simple tools of the trade, a needle and thread, I take seed beads beyond their traditional role as adornment, and put them in the spotlight as a fine art medium. The beads themselves inspire me. The color palette may be limited, but because the beads are glass, they absorb and reflect light, which creates infinite color possibilities. The process of beading is meditative and intimate which allows me to be very present in my work. I not only use people, thoughts, or moments directly from my life as the narratives in my compositions, I also physically touch each bead that is embroidered or woven onto the canvas. Despite their diminutive size, seed beads can create bold, powerful statements, as well as subtle dreamscapes.
I started weaving with beads in order to celebrate the beads themselves. Each weaving is an exploration of color, texture, and pattern, often in non-representational form. Through this intricate and deliberate process, I aim to evoke emotions and sensations in the viewer, allowing them to connect with the art on a purely visceral level. These weavings are a celebration of the beauty that can be found in simplicity and repetition, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the intricate details and immerse themselves in the colors and forms. In a world filled with noise and complexity, my work serves as a reminder of the power of simplicity and the beauty that can be found in the smallest of details.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Colleen O’Rourke was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Growing up in an artistic home, she began creating art in her early childhood. She received her Associate of Arts degree from the Grand Rapids Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan. Colleen began working with seed beads while studying at the University of Michigan and has utilized the medium to this day. She has taken the beads beyond their traditional role as adornment and put them in the spotlight as a fine art medium. Despite their diminutive size, the seed beads can create bold, powerful statements, as well as subtle dreamscapes in the compositions she creates.
© Colleen O’Rourke