Lindsay Ketterer Gates
My current body of work focuses on transforming mundane materials into something extraordinary. I combine my love of textile techniques, fashion design and everyday materials to create works of texture and grace. Necklines, fasteners, ruffles, pleats and decoration of traditional costumes from around the globe inspire me. I draw from my own vocabulary to create interesting patterns and textures from various materials used in repetition. My aim is for the viewer to find the finished products both elegant and curious.
How & why I work...
It was never a question whether or not I would pursue art as a career, but rather what type of artistic career I would seek out. From the time I was able to hold a crayon I never stopped creating 'works of art'. I credit much of my success to the fact that my parents were so supportive of my talent and encouraged me to pursue what I dreamed of. (After all, my mother was my art teacher all through school!) Upon entering college, I was introduced to the area of Fibers and became fascinated with the textures and patterns that I began to create. Originally I focused on felting and weaving very large wall pieces that included hardware store materials. Upon leaving school it became quite apparent that I would need a decent amount of studio space in order to continue working in this same way. As most recent graduates, I had no prospect of adequate studio space nor did I know where I was going to be from one month to the next. I felt that I could either make excuses for why I couldn't produce work (lack of studio space) or I could change my way of working to suit my lifestyle and continue creating. Without much thinking about it, I began to work in a different way... it wasn't possible for me to stop working...( I've never known how to sit still!) I quickly became re-obsessed with the repetitive technique of 'looping' or 'knotless netting' that I had briefly studied a few years before. This technique required no more than lap space, a roll of wire and a pair of wire cutters. Combining this 'looping' with my love of pattern, texture and common materials came naturally. I began working in small parts that could later be combined into a larger whole. I continue to work in this same manner today - I work steadily on a multitude of small parts, which are eventually combined into larger works. This allows me to work anywhere at anytime.
www.lindsaykgates.com
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