ARTIST STATEMENT
As a stitch witch I spins spells, weave wonder and create mixed media artwork through a wide variety of ancient textile art techniques. My passion is channeling the wisdom of the ancestors into contemporary creations with a focus on re-envisioning the value and visibility of what has been viewed traditionally as “women’s work”.
With a desire to heal our ailing Mother Earth the focus of much of my work is with the creative reuse and salvaging of materials, often spinning paper advertisements and plastic bags into the “fiber” of my creations, and foraging my yard and the gardens of friends for sustainable plants for weaving and dyeing.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
After obtaining her B.A. in Interior Design and A.A.S. in Architectural Technology and a short career designing the interior spaces for corporate offices in Chicago high rise buildings, Pamela Penney turned her career path back toward her passion for fiber and textiles. For over 30 years Pamela has had a studio practice that explores all the potential that a needle and thread possess. She is currently focused on spinning and tapestry weaving and utilizes primarily sustainable, salvaged and foraged materials in her 2D and 3D work.
Pamela currently works from her studio in Oak Park Illinois where she is also on the board of directors for the Oak Park Art League. As an arts educator for both children and adults, Pam guides her students to utilize the process of art making for health and well-being.
© Pamela Penney