Artist Statement

Marietta Camillieri

I paint silk with vivid dyes of beautiful bright colors as it soaks in the fabric. This mesmerizes me and this is my passion. I do use other methods and materials. My work is usually large, layers are sometimes incorporated to create physical dimensions. The most common way to displayed these pieces are hung on a wall or from the ceiling but future works will include self standing elements. My goal is to use metal and wood along with incorporating weaving and other traditional forms of fibers with my silk art. I use all kinds of images but I enjoy painting flower’s the most, I love blending the dye as I try to replicate nature. Silk painting is about controlling the dye and making it only go where I want it to go. Sometimes it has a different plan. Two methods I often use is called marbleizing and an ancient Japanese method of tie dye called Shibori. I have been most infuenced by my teacher Shigeko Spear. an accomplished artist . She painted silk using the ancient technique of Japanese paste resist most commonlly used on kimonos.

I hope to show that fibers or weaving is not just a craft but can be sophisticated with valid meanings. When I make art I have a message. Sometimes the message is about bringing awareness about the environment or current world issues but I mostly want to bring joy and peace. I want to remind us of the beauty around and in us all.

I have been compelled to create with many years of experience of developing these methods to best communicate myself as an artist. What an opportunity to tap into the creative realm but more importantly Art can be a way to document history in real time to show our present and future generations. It invokes emotion, passion and for me the awe that I feel and I hope to share with the viewer.

Fayetteville Arkansas