Artist
Statement
My vision as an
artist is to explore the world with genuine curiosity and an appreciation
of its inherent beauty. Having been raised in a Shambhala Buddhist
family, I am strongly influenced by traditional Tibetan Buddhist
colours, shapes and iconography. Pattern, symmetry, and the mandala
principle are frequently found throughout my work. I am currently
producing tapestries that combine numerous printing and dying
processes. I combine silk-screening, painting and shibori techniques
to create works with radial symmetry. Although these works are
quite mathematical in nature, the images and the prints are produced
entirely freehand, and are not planned out in advance. Each piece
creates itself as I respond to the last move I made. Through working
in this way I am able to learn about my habitual tendencies. I
am able to push them as far as they can go, as well as avoid them
and force myself into new ground. In addition to the gallery setting,
I intend to display my works throughout the city in small green
spaces. I plan to decorate places I consider to be unique that
may be lost among the urban environment. It is my hope to draw
attention to these places so that they are not forgotten or taken
for granted. This idea stems from the Arabic word "sacred" which
literally translated means "set apart." By decorating these places,
I am setting them apart from the ordinary. Purely by my intention
they are instantly transformed into "sacred."
Elisabeth Hazell
