Astrid Bennett
Scroll 45: Clementines, 2021
Handpainting, monoprinting, screenprinting, drawing, stitching; cotton, dyes, India ink, polymer medium, eyelets 4" x 47" long
My current bodies of work include the “Tarps” and “Scrolls” series, adding drawing and mixed media to my hand dyed and printed textiles. I often pair Tarps and Scrolls with natural phenomena, using photography in short-term installations. Scrolls even accompany me on travels, with opportunities for drawing and photography in unaccustomed settings.
Astrid Bennett
Dreaming Quilt: Summer Light 2, 2020
All fabrics start out white and are patterned by the artist. Handpainting, monoprinting, screen printing, machine quilting Backing is also handpainted or dyed fabrics. 100% cotton fabrics and batting. Fiber reactive dyes. Longarm quilting by Sarah Yoder Parker, Bee Quilted 84 x 81"
The global pandemic created enormous challenges. In July 2020, needing color, I started the Dreaming Quilts project, using 30 years of my own fabrics to create 15 one-of-a-kind, full sized, functional quilts to be hung on walls or used for bedding. Representing a personal art history of sorts, I let the designs evolve as they wanted to. Color and stitching contributed to a practice of solace and healing. 100% of the proceeds of any sales of these works benefits cultural institutions and nonprofits. This project would not have been possible without the longarm quilting assistance of Sarah Yoder Parker, Bee Quilted. Summer Light 2 is the cover image of A Playbill for Sunset, poems by Dan Campion.
Astrid Bennett
Indigo Panels, 2021
Natural organic indigo, Itajime (resist dyeing) with mixed media cotton fabric, polymer medium, India ink 79 x 82"
I established my outdoor community indigo vat during the Pandemic, in mid-August, 2021, inviting two local artists at a time to try samples over a two hour period. It has been a wonderful way to safely connect with other people and spend time exploring. On days we were not gathering as a community, I did my own personal work. Over two years, 45 people participated. Exploring indigo also allowed me to see how I might incorporate more sustainable natural dyeing into my own work in a way that fits in with the visual language I use.
Astrid Bennett
Stacked Dreaming Quilts, 2023
80x80" quilts, vintage table. Indigo and fiber reactive dye on cotton broadcloth, machine stitching, vintage table 45 x 19 x 21"
I create visually abstract wall art using only fabrics that I paint or print myself. Having accumulated and created a lifetime of “things”, I now wonder in what ways I’m part of the sustainability problem. Do artists need to make so many “things”? Are there alternative ways to think about art pieces, accomplishments, and storage? Is making functional art radical in our times? Some say yes! At this juncture, I’ve decided that all of my large finished pieces must also be functional. In some dystopian future, they can be used for shelter or warmth, or they can be used well now. Needing color during the global pandemic in July 2020, I started the Dreaming Quilts project, using 30 years of my own fabrics to create 15 one-of-a-kind, full sized, functional quilts to be hung on walls or used for bedding. I continue to add to that trove of large-scale functional works.
Astrid Bennett
Installation with Indigo: Stacked quilts on vintage cot, 2023
Installation in various forms with hanging elements and/or stacked 80x80" quilts, vintage cot or table. Indigo and fiber reactive dye on cotton broadcloth, matte medium & stitching, vintage cot 152" x 84" x 100"
I create visually abstract wall art using only fabrics that I paint or print myself. Having accumulated and created a lifetime of “things”, I now wonder in what ways I’m part of the sustainability problem. Do artists need to make so many “things”? Are there alternative ways to think about art pieces, accomplishments, and storage? Is making functional art radical in our times? Some say yes! At this juncture, I’ve decided that all of my large finished pieces must also be functional. In some dystopian future, they can be used for shelter or warmth, or they can be used well now. Needing color during the global pandemic in July 2020, I started the Dreaming Quilts project, using 30 years of my own fabrics to create 15 one-of-a-kind, full sized, functional quilts to be hung on walls or used for bedding. I continue to add to that trove of large-scale functional works.
Astrid Bennett
Three Scrolls: Journeys, 2018
Handpainting, monoprinting, drawing, stitching; cotton, polymer medium, India ink, eyelets each: 4 x 39"
My current bodies of work include the “Tarps” and “Scrolls” series, adding drawing and mixed media to my hand dyed and printed textiles. Metaphorically, I see tarps as protective, versatile, adaptive. In some dystopian future, they could be functional, providing shelter or some other use. I often pair Tarps and Scrolls with natural phenomena, using photography in short-term installations. Part object, part theater set, these pieces can be used interchangeably in standard exhibitions or in installation indoors or out. Scrolls even accompany me on travels, with opportunities for drawing and photography in unaccustomed settings.
Astrid Bennett
Scroll 22, at Sycamore Greenway, 2019
Handpainting, monoprinting, drawing, stitching; cotton, India ink, polymer medium, eyelets 4 x 49"
My current bodies of work include the “Tarps” and “Scrolls” series, adding drawing and mixed media to my hand dyed and printed textiles. Metaphorically, I see tarps as protective, versatile, adaptive. In some dystopian future, they could be functional, providing shelter or some other use. I often pair Tarps and Scrolls with natural phenomena, using photography in short-term installations. Part object, part theater set, these pieces can be used interchangeably in standard exhibitions or in installation indoors or out. Scrolls even accompany me on travels, with opportunities for drawing and photography in unaccustomed settings.
Astrid Bennett
Tarp Series: Undercurrents 4, 2017
handpainted/printed fabrics, mixed media, stitching, drawing 43 x 85 x 2"
My current bodies of work include the “Tarps” and “Scrolls” series, adding drawing and mixed media to my hand dyed and printed textiles. Metaphorically, I see tarps as protective, versatile, adaptive. In some dystopian future, they could be functional, providing shelter or some other use. I often pair Tarps and Scrolls with natural phenomena, using photography in short-term installations. Part object, part theater set, these pieces can be used interchangeably in standard exhibitions or in installation indoors or out. Scrolls even accompany me on travels, with opportunities for drawing and photography in unaccustomed settings.
Astrid Bennett
Tarp Series: Trees 3, Sycamore Greenway Prairie Area, 2018
Handpainted/printed cotton fabrics, mixed media, stitching, drawing 87 x 46 x 2"
My current bodies of work include the “Tarps” and “Scrolls” series, adding drawing and mixed media to my hand dyed and printed textiles. Metaphorically, I see tarps as protective, versatile, adaptive. In some dystopian future, they could be functional, providing shelter or some other use. I often pair Tarps and Scrolls with natural phenomena, using photography in short-term installations. Part object, part theater set, these pieces can be used interchangeably in standard exhibitions or in installation indoors or out. Scrolls even accompany me on travels, with opportunities for drawing and photography in unaccustomed settings.
