Local artists Chris Erickson and Claire Wright opened their collaborative showcase, “Interdimensional Threads,” at The Launchpad in Carbondale on First Friday, March 1. Observers of the exhibit are in for a diverse, eclectic, colorful and fun experience.
The pieces on display include upcycled materials and were created through various mediums, including woodworking, welding and upholstering. Plus, there is a “kids’ corner” with abstract pieces for youngsters to climb on and play with.
Wright and Erickson connected on Instagram after Wright suggested that the imagery in Erickson’s paintings would look great on a piece of furniture.
“Conceptually, the idea is two strangers coming together through social media and having mutual admiration for each other’s work,” Erickson told The Sopris Sun. “We will have traditional paintings of my own, wall sculptures — and then the imagery and the icons in my work are reproduced on fabric via screen printing, commercial printing, embroidery …”
Erickson lives in the Valley and has been a practicing artist for more than 20 years. He has a background in graphic design and is predominately a sculptor and painter. He said that he draws inspiration from everyday experiences.
“Much of my work derives from the everyday inundation of the constant barrage of stimuli that we experience … by means of music, sight, sound, advertising and all of the media we get. I take excerpts or samplings of what I hear, feel and smell. I digest them, think about them and sketch them out,” he shared. “It manifests into the language and visuals I use in my paintings.”
As the owner of Cosecha Textiles, Wright has spent 10 years collaborating with interior designers — as well as private clients — to help them breathe new life into well-used furniture. Plus, she is one heck of a seamstress.
“I found upholstery through my love of sewing, and I found sewing through my love of fashion. As a teenager, I used to shop at thrift stores and was particularly interested in vintage fashion. I would buy things and alter them,” Wright told The Sopris Sun. “Then, I started sewing things, making my designs, using sewing patterns and trying different things on my own, which evolved into selling my wares at craft shows and art festivals.”
She made a home on San Juan Island in Washington state, where she worked as a barista/waitress and did seamstressing on the side. She did alterations and started taking on more extensive and challenging projects — like repairing cushions on sailboats.
In discussing “Interdimensional Threads,” Wright commended Carbondale Arts for being so helpful and accommodating. Though this is not her first collaboration, it is her first professionally curated showcase, she shared.
“People have been calling me an artist my whole life, but I’ve never claimed that title. I would call myself more of a maker. I didn’t know what to expect as far as the installation goes. But it was really fun and great to work together as a team, curate the space and see all the beautiful colors coming together. Seeing the vision take shape was amazing,” she concluded
“Interdimensional Threads” is on display through April 5 at The Launchpad. For more information, visit carbondalearts.com