Jennifer Davies
We Miss You Ruth!, 2020
thread, paper, plastic ring 14" diameter
Typically I do not have a specific end in mind, but in this case I did, and had to solve a number of technical problems to realize this symbolic piece. However, it turned out to be a great pleasure to use my weaving and dipping technique to mark the passing and to honor a great jurist.
Jennifer Davies
Threading My Way, 2019
gauze, paper pulp, ink, linen, thread 34"h x 14"w,
I never tire of showing myself how dark looks on light and light looks on dark. This piece is simply about that, and reminds me of the pleasurable hours hand sewing it listening to the conversations around me.
Jennifer Davies
Portent, 2019
plastic bird netting, pigmented paper pulp, thread 75"h x 66"w
To make this piece I dipped various shapes of plastic birdnetting into thick and thin baths of paper pulp. Not having any specific imagery in mind, I was surprised at how ominous and brooding a presence the final piece conveyed.
Jennifer Davies
Night Gaze, 2020
indigo dyed kozo lace, thread 72"h x 48"w
For this piece I used strips of dried and pigmented kozo, the material usually beaten into pulp for Japanese hand made paper. I used its lacey qualities to suggest the moon reflecting on moving water.
Jennifer Davies
Moon Series 1, 2019
string, pigment, paper pulp 40" diameter
The phases of the moon have played an important part in my imagery. This is one of a series of four suggesting different states of illumination. I dipped several circular weavings into pigmented pulp and sewed them together in layers.
Jennifer Davies
Vestment, 2020
kozo, and kozo treated with kakishibu and iron, thread 70"h x 37"w
One of the earliest memories connected to cloth was my lingering over the gorgeousness of High Episcopalian vestments. Both of the papers used here are kozo, the top one delicate and fragile, the bottom one thick and treated with persimmon dye and liquid iron. The contrast interested me, along with a possible metaphor about the Church experience.
Jennifer Davies
In Cahoots, 2020
pigmented netting, paper pulp, thread. 61"h x 37"w
Choosing a humble material - netting used for curtains - I sewed tubes and rectangles that I dipped into pulp and pigment. The result is a hanging of a shabby opulence that has definitely seen better days. The hanging tubes bring to mind those sad fox heads hanging from ladies' fur stoles that horrified me as a child.
Jennifer Davies
Game Plan, 2019
gauze, tea bags, handmade paper, thread. 18"h x 15"w
The persimmon dyed handmade papers and fabric bits are from previous projects. To obscure and reveal the layers, I used a soft gauze I had dipped into pulp. I used thread as a drawing element on the top layer.
Jennifer Davies
Doodled, 2019
thread, string, handmade paper 14" h x 13"w
The look of this piece changed many times as it keep me entertained on car trips. I think of it as a doodle with strings going in all directions as do one's thoughts.
Jennifer Davies
Debut, 2017
Rabbit wire, plastic netting, yarn, paper pulp. 20"h x 12"w
I was unable to resist the possibilities in a squashed piece of wire that my husband brought home from a construction. Repeated drive-overs had formed a strangely torso-like shape that I exploited by repeated pulp dippings. Having just learned about Sashiko, I tried the long stitches out on this unforgiving surface.
