Discovery Gallery

April 9 – May 21, 2011

Strength & Stillness

An exhibition by Sherwood Park textile artist Sharon Rubuliak

Getting to know myself through my art-making has been one of the rewards of my fibre art practice. It was a natural step to combine that exploration with another form of self-discovery and growth, namely my yoga practice. In both activities I started intermittently on my own, then took classes and progressed to intensive workshops and to the joy of getting lost in the practice. Over time I came to desire a personal practice where I could explore and create my own expression. And I came to appreciate the role of mindfulness in smoothing the path to that joyful state. This exhibition – Strength & Stillness – focuses on two aspects of my yoga practice that serve as touchstones for me. Each has its pre-requisites –regular practice, self awareness, selflove, and patience. Each also has its benefits – stability, ease, confidence, and, ultimately, a sense of peace.

The materials selected for the artworks in this series evoke that calm state –soft, smooth, and sheer fabrics in whites and near-whites suggest peacefulness. The subtleness of the works creates a peaceful environment in which to linger and delight in the details. A variety of strenuous and resting yoga poses are depicted in the series, which features appliqué and hand-stitched motifs and symbols signifying the mindfulness of yoga as both moving and motionless meditation.

The artworks are created through a series of layering and quilting — both by hand and by machine. The hand stitching draws from the Kantha tradition in which simple running stitches are used to create motifs and a wavy surface texture. The soft lines of handquilting contrast and complement the deeper indentation and repetition of machine-quilted lines. Sheer fabrics, fused appliqué, decorative threads and bead embellishments contribute further visual and tactile interest in the artworks.

The decision to combine my fibre art and yoga practices has led to a deeper appreciation of both practices. Indeed, the dual approach to this series has revealed a joyful and rewarding path in my life’s journey.

Sharon Rubuliak