Stitch & Yarns : Mark Newport, Darrel Morris, Jerry
Kunkel, Jack Balas, Ron Fundingsland, Wes Hempel, Gretchen
Sankey, and Eric Zimmer

STITCH

In conjunction with the International Fiber Conference Convergence 2004, Robischon Gallery features the embroidered and knit works of Arizona artist Mark Newport and Chicago artist Darrel Morris.

 In an ongoing exploration of masculine identity and behavior, Mark Newport embroiders directly onto comic book covers and pages to create what he considers "samplers". The artist states, "I've been interested in how young boys are educated to become young men, and I thought superheroes in comic books were something I experienced as a child, and which taught me about the qualities men are supposed to have."

To further this exploration, the artist's new series employs hand-knitting to create superhero uniforms. Newport writes, "The heroes that they present are men that protected the populations of their worlds from evil…grandiose versions of the image that all traditional men were to be…" In his recollections of his mother and grandmother, Newport specifically recalls the hand-knit sweaters he received from them. The artist experienced the material as a shield – potent in its ability to keep the wearer safe, "making an ordinary looking person into a superhero".

Mark Newport confronts the evolution of textiles with his unique and contemporary contributions. He states, "Through the choice of form: trading card, garment, bed cover, [comic sampler] and the method of transformation of the original object I compare myself to what I have been shown and told about being a man. The activity of making the work becomes a way for me to transform what I have learned…"

BIOGRAPHY

Mark Newport received his BFA from Kansas City Art Institute, Missouri and his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois. Exhibiting extensively throughout the country since 1986, Newport's work has been shown at the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock; Carnegie Mellon University Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Colorado; and The Contemporary Gallery of the Museum of Textiles, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Works of Mark Newport courtesy of Greg Kucera Gallery.


Raised in Kentucky, Darrel Morris uses cast-off canvas and vintage sewing thread to bring the viewer into a very different psychological space. Often utilizing a raw but self-deprecating sense of humor, Morris creates create complex commentaries on social inequities and lopsided power struggles. This choice of materials and approach place the works themselves within a social structure while generating an edgy awkwardness.

BIOGRAPHY

Darrel Morris received his BFA from the University of Kentucky, Lexington and his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions since 1988 including American Craft Museum, New York; Museum for Textiles, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus; Chicago Cultural Center, Illinois; and Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO.

Works of Darrel Morris courtesy of Gescheidle Gallery.

YARNS

A concurrent exhibition featuring narrative works from the wistful to the obsessive. This show addresses various themes touching upon alienation, gender and relationships, while utilizing text and humor.

Featuring: Jack Balas, Ron Fundingsland, Wes Hempel, Jerry Kunkel, Gretchen Sankey, and Eric Zimmer.