"Hildur Asgeirsdottir Jonsson: Energy Forms"
2005-01-28 until 2005-05-01
Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland
Cleveland, OH, USA United States of America

Interested in the geophysical powers that lie beneath an often calm exterior, Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson creates silk weavings, intricate embroideries and ink drawings that communicate the inherent energy of the natural world. Originally from Iceland, Jónsson references the glacial formations and expanses of sea and sky of her native landscape and explores cosmic activity.

For her large scale weavings, Jónsson's process begins with the unique translation of a photograph into a loose abstract sketch known as a cartoon. She places this image beneath sets of separately strung warp and weft threads and subsequently paints each surface with fabric dye and then weaves her artwork. This weaving method integrates the two individually painted components into one meticulously coordinated image. Jónsson also creates detailed embroideries and black-and-white ink drawings on vellum. These more intimately scaled works create a visual paradox by representing the vast and tumultuous chaos of her subject matter through labor-intensive compositions. Geological forces such as subtle tectonic movements or more combustible, powerful phenomena, like earthquakes, are a constant in our world. Energy Forms calls attention to the physicality of the earth and our relationship with it.

The first weaver to be shown in the PULSE series, Jónsson has lived in Ohio for the last 20 years. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and received an MFA from Kent State University. Jónsson’s drawing and weavings have been shown in Spain, France and Iceland and have been exhibited extensively throughout Ohio. Most recently, the Ohio Arts Council commissioned Jónsson to design the Governor’s Annual Awards in the Arts and her embroideries were presented to winners of the 2004 awards.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Ohio

Other Important Exhibitions in Cleveland