DISPATCH - OCT 25, 2013
EAST HAMPTON, NY-
Get ready to be challenged. A solo show of embroideries that are unflinching political and cultural commentaries is set to open at Guild Hall Museum this weekend. Rest assured, that there is no corruption that is safe from inspection when artist Christa Maiwald turns her attention to it.
“Short Stories and Other Embroideries” opens at Guild Hall Museum on Oct. 26 and remains on view through Jan. 5, 2014. An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. Maiwald is the winner of Best in Show of the 73rd Annual Guild Hall Artists Members Exhibition held in 2011. Maiwald’s mixed media work was selected by juror Deborah Cullen, Ph.D., Director of Curatorial Programs at El Museo del Barrio, and current Director and Chief Curator of the University’s Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery at Columbia University, New York City.
The work on view are mixed media artworks that feature thread hand embroidered on various surfaces. Some works play strongly to the idea of "traditional womens work" through Maiwald's selection of material (cotton cloth, garments, etc) while other staging for her artworks stray into household items (lamp shades, cushions, etc.). Still other works are presented as traditional paintings with a twist: canvas framed with embrodier hoops.
One common thread running through Maiwald's recent works is portraiture. Many depict an identifiable figure from politics, the artworld, or other public arenas. Earlier series depicted people familiar to Maiwald and her family. In all, the figure is the jumping point for a discussion on controversial issues.
Throughout her career, Maiwald's art has manifested in various mediums. They include film, video, photography, painting, installation and performance. Her art has been the subject of numerous solo and group shows.
Solo Shows include The Whitney Museum of American Art (1979), Florence Lynch Gallery (NYC), MODA-DC (Washington, DC), the Pollock-Krasner House (East Hampton), De Appel Gallery (Amsterdam) and others. Group exhibitions include those held at the Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), Parrish Art Museum, Islip Art Museum, the 2003 Luleå Sommar Biennal (Sweden) and more.
“Christa Maiwald is a noted artist who has exhibited widely on the East End and in New York City,” said Christina Strassfield, Guild Hall Museum Director and Chief Curator, who organized the exhibition. “She has worked in various media, sculpture, film, video, photography, installation arts and most recently embroidery. I think of Christa as a Renaissance woman who can do it all.”
A sneak peek at some of the works follow. An Artist Talk will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Guild Hall.
"Blue Chip" by Christa Maiwald, 2009-11. 50 hand embroidered portraits on cotton. Individual portraits from 7 to 14 inches in diameter. Installation dimensions vary. Photo by Gary Mamay.
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"African Hall of Shame" by Christa Maiwald, 2008. Cotton, thread, hand embroidery, 25 x 25 inches. Photo by Gary Mamay.
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"Latin American Death Squad" by Christa Maiwald, 2008. Cotton, thread, hand embroidery, 25 x 25 inches. Photo by Gary Mamay.
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"Alan Greenspan, Musical Chairs - Economic Crisis in G minor" by Christa Maiwald, 2009. Six children's chairs, hand embroidered cushions installation, dimensions vary. Photo by Gary Mamay.
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"Servitude" by Christa Maiwald, 2008. Hand embroidered cotton thread on handmade miniature maids uniforms. Installation dimensions vary. Photo by Gary Mamay.
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"Meet Magritte" by Christa Maiwald, 2013. Cotton, thread, hand embroidery, 23.25 x 25 inches.
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BASIC FACTS: "Short Stories and Other Embroideries" opens Oct. 26 and remains on view through Jan. 5, 2014 at Guild Hall Museum. An Artist Talk will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Guild hall is located at 158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937. www.guildhall.org.
Christa Maiwald is based in East Hampton, NY. www.christamaiwald.com.
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