ARTIST STATEMENT
I use textiles to explore sexuality/sensuality, gender fluidity, procreation, and transformation in both personal and political contexts.
My primary medium is dyed silk, which can portray weight beyond it’s ephemeral nature, convey multiple perspectives through its translucent properties, and embody inherent contrasts in subject matter.
My work is often a response to current events and to contemporary perspectives of younger generations. Much of my impetus derives from having my formative years in the 1960s as well as having been brought up in the household of artists and poets.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Deborah Hirshfield was born and raised in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, graduated from the American High School in Mexico City, Mexico, studied Dance Theatre in New York City, and traveled throughout Europe and Israel. Ms. Hirshfield began a career in textile arts in Evanston, taught at the Instituto del Arte, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Highland Park Art Center, Evanston Township High School Adult Education, matriculated from Mundelein College and Columbus College, and taught art and music to Chicago Public School students for twenty years.
Most recent exhibits include Stola Gallery, Woman Made Gallery, the Evanston Art Center, The Art Center Highland Park, and Oakton Community College Koehnline Museum.
Drawn to visual ideas in response to feminist issues, her current work is with dyed, sewn, and molded silk addressing pregnancy, gender equality, and sexuality.
© Deborah Hirshfield