Gray Caskey
Dissenting (detail), 2020
reclaimed electrical porcelain tubes, abaca paper, thread, wire, wood 24" x 12.5" x .75"
Enamored with these discarded porcelain tubes which were used during the early 1900's to insulate wiring, I reverently wrapped each in wet abaca to dry and encapsulate. Unlike their modern day counterparts these have a sense of history and felt like something to be treasured. Interweaving the tubes with thread, a natural arc took form. The completion coincided with the passing of RBG and this piece pays tribute to her dissenting voice.
Gray Caskey
Dissenting, 2020
reclaimed electrical ceramic tubes, abaca paper, thread, wire, wood 24" x 12.5" x .75"
Enamored with these discarded porcelain tubes which were used during the early 1900's to insulate wiring, I reverently wrapped each in wet abaca to dry and encapsulate. Unlike their modern day counterparts these have a sense of history and felt like something to be treasured. Interweaving the tubes with thread, a natural arc took form. The completion coincided with the passing of RBG and this piece pays tribute to her dissenting voice.
Gray Caskey
Samskaras (detail), 2018
bias tape, thread 30" x 30" x 1.5"
detail of interlaced strips and stitching
Gray Caskey
Samskaras, 2018
Bias tape, thread 30" x 30" x 1.5"
While visiting the Egyptian wing of the MET, I became enamored with a burial piece that was covered in a diamond pattern of overlapping strips of fabric. I began experimenting with overlapping and interlacing fabric and became obsessed with the process. The spontaneous patterns that formed and the visual depth created from the overlapping layers motivated me to push further. Through trial and error, I have been rewarded with serendipitous moments of clarity where suddenly the fabric takes on a form that resonates with me. I have combined these patterns to create larger, almost mandala like compositions. To add additional texture I began machine stitching the fabric pieces before interlacing. When the layers overlap the aligned stitching forms its own pattern. The repetitive process becomes meditative as I build layer on layer. My hope is that this meditative energy is reflected back in the piece itself and that the viewer is able to find a moment of calm while viewing.
Gray Caskey
Days Between (detail), 2021
reclaimed landscaping fabric, ink, fasteners 41" x 60" x 4"
Side dimensional view and detail of hand folded "pods"
Gray Caskey
Days Between, 2021
reclaimed landscaping fabric, ink, fasteners 41" x 60" x 4"
Created during the pandemic, this piece facilitates an internal dialog about the passing of time, isolation, connection and flow. The piece is composed of interlocking pods that are hand-cut from discarded landscaping fabric, folded into three-dimensional hexagons, edged with ink and fastened together. One after another, day after day, week after week, almost serving as an abacus during this unique time.
