German artist Petra Voegtle is showing her work at the Ayer Lofts Art Gallery as one of a small group of artists who are celebrating Women's week in Lowell Massachusetts.
Lowell is situated in the middle of the lower Merrimack Valley which has a wealth of history, recreational and cultural opportunities enjoyed not only by the valley's residents but by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. And the Merrimack Valley is only 30 minutes away from the world-class attractions of Greater Boston, 45 minutes from the coast of Maine and two hours from the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Ayer Lofts Gallery has hosted a variety of exhibits and events since its opening in October 2000. A history of these activities with links where more information is available can be seen under http://ayerlofts.com/exhibits/.
The artwork Voegtle is showing is one of her silk carvings, a new technique developed by the artist with the intent to create a perfect symbiosis between fiberart and carving. The surface of the fiber is transformed completely into a relief. The upper layer of these pieces is made from one single piece of silk - nothing has been sewn on top to add depth. Additionally paints and metallic pigments are used in a manner that makes silk paradoxically look like stone or metal. The piece shown at the Ayer Lofts Gallery is titled "Pele - Mother of Life". In Hawaiian mythology women were a powerful source of new life and source of spiritual power. In the Polynesian world Mana Wahine - the power of woman - was a force that must never be ignored. It was Hina (Woman) who gave birth to new life, Hina controlled the moon, the tides and the reefs and Hina had the secret of fire.
Petra's silk carving incorporates the visual impression of flowing lava in all its glowing colours and the viewer is supposed to feel the heat. But it is "only" a piece of soft sculptured silk.
Petra Voegtle is a Premiere Portfolio artist at absolutearts.com. View more of her work at: absolutearts.com/portfolios/v/vyala/
IMAGE
Petra Voegtle
Pele
2003
17 x 48 inches
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