Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists [Hardcover]

Karen Searle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2008

As some knitters craft mittens and sweaters, others find themselves taking flight into the realm of art.  Some become true fiber artists, creating exhibition-quality quilts and sweaters and shawls, yarn mobiles and sculptures and gigantic abstract installations.  An exploration of art knitting, this book profiles eighteen of the most prominent and intriguing practitioners of this craft-turned-art.  Karen Searle, herself a recognized fiber artist, examines the works and inspirations of each of these knit artists.  Numerous photographs illustrate each profile, documenting these artists’ work and at the same time offering inspiration to those who might transcend the purely practical aspect of knitting.  Among the artists encountered here are such nationally known knitters as movement founder Katharine Cobey, Carolyn Halliday, Debbie New, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Lindsay Obermayer, Kathryn Alexander, and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 “In this colorful collection, Searle profiles 18 contemporary knitters, including herself, who create knitted objects for display as artworks. From garments to freestanding sculpture to gallery and outdoor installations, these works have a bold presence and, in many cases, an overt political or social message. Searle provides an essay of about four pages for each artist explaining the development of the personal style and practices used by each. Full- and half-page photographs of five or six works by each artist make the book particularly appealing. Because few readers are aware of this body of work and considering the book’s inherently appealing subject and accessible presentation, this is suitable for public libraries and art collections.” -- Library Journal, February 1, 2009

The knitters in this album wield their needles to create sculpture, body adornments, and storytelling fabrics.  The author, an art knitter, provides a short history of the field that serves as a backdrop for the motivations and studio practices of her eightteen subjects, who explore abstract, narrative, political, and humorous styles.

--Fiberarts Magazine, May 2009

Explore the worlds of eighteen innovative artists who use knitting to produce amazing pieces of work in which the medium is always part of the message.
--Interweave Knits, Spring, 2009

In this colorful collection, Searle profiles 18 contemporary knitters, including herself, who create knitted objects for display as artworks. From garments to freestanding sculpture to gallery and outdoor installations, these works have a bold presence and, in many cases, an overt political or social message. Searle provides an essay of about four pages for each artist explaining the development of the personal style and practices used by each. Full- and half-page photographs of five or six works by each artist make the book particularly appealing. Because few readers are aware of this body of work and considering the book’s inherently appealing subject and accessible presentation, this is suitable for public libraries and art collections.
--Library Journal, February 1, 2008

This book is a beautiful and welcome reminder of the boundless creativity and expression available to the handspinner.  It is also a challenging and diverse exploration of the tales the human soul needs to tell, and proof that sometimes fibre is the best medium with which to tell them.
--Spinners Quarterly, December 2008

The primary thing is that it’s really an ART book, not a KNITTING book. It’s about artists who use knitting as their medium, so yes, it’s all about inspiration, but not exactly about inspiration for your next sweater.  Very neat to look at!

--Ravelry.com, October 15, 2008

 

 

"Knitting Art, 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists" by Karen Searle (Voyageur Press, $35): Searle takes fiber enthusiasts beyond the ordinary. She showcases how the featured artists stretched their knitting skills to reach new heights, from unique designs in wearable art to awe-inspiring sculptures and wall hangings. Many used unconventional mediums to express their sense of creativity. For instance, Katharine Cobey used black plastic to knit the bodice of a gown, with a skirt made from red strips of construction tape, while others chose materials such as wire and rolled newspapers. It's certainly not your grandmother's knitting.

Detroit News

About the Author

Karen Searle is a fiber artist specializing in knit and crochet sculptural works.  Her artworks have been exhibited in the United States and abroad since the late 1970s. She has presented classes, lectures, and seminars internationally, has curated fiber-art exhibitions, and served on international jury panels.  Searle is a mentor to emerging artists through the mentor/protegee program of the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota.  A former publisher of books on ethnic textiles, she writes about the arts for several publications.  She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (October 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760330670
• ISBN-13: 978-0760330678
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.8 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Knitting as an Art Form - Artists and Their Creations April 25, 2009

By Bonnie Brody TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

If anyone has doubted that knitting has come into its own as an art form, than this
book will dispel those doubts. It is filled with photos of incredible knitted art created
by knitting by an eclectic group of artists. The book is very beautiful and ranks with
the most beautiful knitting books I own. I plan to make a list very soon of the most
beautiful knitting books!

In this book, we are introduced to Kathryn Alexander, a knitting artist of designer
clothing in color schemes that are likely to remind one of parrots in the Amazon
Rain Forests. Jeung-Hwa Park creates knitted abstract designs that remind me
of underwater life or the micro-lives on trees. Her forms are like undulating waves
and coral. Debbie New creates grand knitting installation pieces. " A musician and
a scientist as well as a knitter, Debbie recently challenged herself to combine music
and knitting by incorporating concepts of time and movement into interactive knit-
ted sculptures." (p. 49) She has even knit a portrait of her grandmother that is
reminiscent of Chuck Close's work. Her work is so eclectic that I haven't really
touched the surface of her creations. Reina Mia Brill creates art dolls that are
whimsical and fantasy-like. The are "fey knitted creatures...and each has a story
to tell. Their exotic names suggest ideas or visions steeped in mythology." (p. 89)
Her creations are made with copper wire, resin, paint, silver wire and brass, along
with various yarns and fabrics. Anna Maltz makes "nude suits" that are bound to
make you smile, maybe even guffaw. She is also an installation artist and gender
bender.

I have only touched the surface of this book. Any knitter interested in moving
their craft towards art will love this book. Any knitter who can appreciate the
beauty of knitting will love this book. Personally, I think everybody will love this
book. But then again, I'm a knitter and I love everything to do with knitting!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovation and Inspiration March 13, 2010

By S. R. M.

Format:Hardcover

The photography is beautiful, and the artist's bios are inspiring. No art school needed, just the willingness to explore traditional techniques in new and inspiring ways. I love this book and all the images that it conjures in my head. It gives me permission to experiment. No telling what will happen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring December 8, 2011

By deepest

Format:Hardcover

If you love art and love knitting and crochet, then you will find lots of inspiration in this book. I would have prefered a bit warmer style of writting, but pictures are very fun. No, you won't get any patterns here, but if you are reading this book, then I assume, because working from patterns is simply too boring for you, you want to let your creativity soar. It does have some technical advice though at the end and interwoven in the main text.
Some artists in the book create in more sterile cold art(which I personally dislike), but lots of them - in colorful warm style too.