Susan Barret Merrill
"A mask is the reflection of a soulful condition expressed symbolically to bring it into physical being."
–– Susan Barrett Merrill, in her book, The Art of Weaving a Life
Susan Barrett Merrill's fiber sculptures originated in a momentous dream she had, in which women of an ancient unknown culture gave her sculptural masks and told her how to make them. When she awoke, she tried the technique they had given her, weaving flat on a loom, leaving spaces and adding extra weft, then taking the weaving off the loom and pulling threads to raise the face into three dimensions. In this way her first face took shape. These have become the artist's calling.
After many years and over one hundred fiber sculptures, they are now in many private and museum collections. Merrill says, "I work in series, exploring a theme or concept in depth. Each textile sculpture may take months to create. There have been many series over the years, most of which are in private collections."
Merrill's Fiber Sculptures Arrive in Series
"One series below, Wisdom of the EarthLoom, created in recent years, relates to my belief that life is a weaving of vertical threads of value and belief with horizontal threads of daily activities woven through them. Thus, the world and its people are woven on a great loom, which I call the EarthLoom. Wisdom of the EarthLoom explores spirit wisdom of ancient beings that have come through my hands."
"Another series is the Mother Earth series, exploring what the Earth means to those of us who live on her. Each being, with its earth-derived colors and patterns, becomes an aspect of Mother Earth, and the figures and activities on her head are her children, with whom she plays in loving and supportive ways."
– Susan Barrett Merrill
