Embroidered Emotions

Sartorius, Tara Cady, Arts & Activities

Anger. It can be instantly explosive or it can percolate below the surface for a long, long time. When expressed, it can hurt feelings and it can even kill. The ripple from an act of anger spreads to othersand affects them in curious ways. Anger can eat away at one's heart and soul. The effects of anger might be healed over time, but there might always be a scar.

The work to your left is titled Aftermath. What is an aftermath? It is an effect, an outcome, a result or a consequence. In the case of this work, artist Michael Olszewski (pronounced ol-SHEF-ski) has stated that this is the aftermath of intense anger. He uses deep, saturated reds that both complement and clash. His stitches appear to close a wound, but they also define it, calling attention to the deep gash in the center of the image.

A large red cross, the symbol of first aid, marks the center of the square. In a circular pattern around and over and through the cross are appliqued arcs and embroidered stitch marks that carry the eye round and round in an almost dizzying motion.

Olszewski says that his art begins with a feeling, an emotion, a realization, a personal problem or an event in progress. His objects begin with a piece of fabric, most commonly silk, but sometimes linen or wool. The silk might be new or antique, possibly from Japan or Italy. It might begin as a plain, …

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Publication information: Article title: Embroidered Emotions. Contributors: Sartorius, Tara Cady - Author. Magazine title: Arts & Activities. Volume: 128. Issue: 4 Publication date: December 2000. Page number: 22. © 2009 Publishers' Development Corporation. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group.

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