Kathy Knapp
Grandma K’s Legacy (full view), 2022
Textiles, beads, Grandmother's potholder, handkerchief, photograph and recycled jewelry. 7.5" round x 3"
A pillbox hat dedicated to my Grandma-K who taught me the art of sewing. Designed incorporating her potholder, handkerchief, jewelry and photograph. Her hanky was tea-dyed and manipulated to border her photo, giving the appearance of an opened envelope. Vintage trim with beaded yo-yos and recycled jewelry completes the surface design.
Kathy Knapp
Grandma K’s Legacy (detail), 2022
Textiles, beads, Grandmother's potholder, handkerchief, photograph and recycled jewelry. 7.5" round x 3"
A pillbox hat dedicated to my Grandma-K who taught me the art of sewing. Designed incorporating her potholder, handkerchief, jewelry and photograph. Her hanky was tea-dyed and manipulated to border her photo, giving the appearance of an opened envelope. Vintage trim with beaded yo-yos and recycled jewelry completes the surface design.
Kathy Knapp
Love, Mom (full view), 2022
Textiles, Beads 7.5" round x 3"
A pillbox hat in tribute to my late mother, a choral director. Embellished with a vintage photo from her college graduation, her signature from an old card sent to me, and metallic embellishments deconstructed and recycled from her jewelry including a g-clef on the reverse, and beaded yo-yos.
Kathy Knapp
Love, Mom. (detail view), 2022
Textiles, Beads 7.5" round x 3"
This work is a pillbox hat designed in tribute to my late mother, a choral director. It is embellished with a vintage photo from her college graduation, and her signature from an old card. The metallic embellishments include beaded yo-yos, and deconstructed and recycled jewelry of belonging to my mother including a g-clef on the reverse side. Vintage trim borders the crown.
Kathy Knapp
A Bohemian Beaded Rhapsody (full view), 2021
Textiles, beads 55" x 24" x 23"
I wanted to create a garment appropriate for a personality as big and bold as Freddie Mercury. Primary colors of black and gold were inspired by the band’s 50th anniversary. Two beaded motifs suggest floral bouquets; the reverse is festooned with my take on the logo that Freddie Mercury designed.
Kathy Knapp
A Mother’s Love (full view), 2022
Textiles, Beads 7.5" round x 3"
A pillbox hat, using my mother’s favorite color palette. Embellished with a photo of my mother and myself as a child, her signature from an old card, a flower from an arrangement and pieces of jewelry I had given her over the years. Vintage trim and beaded yo-yos complete the surface design.
Kathy Knapp
A Mother’s Love (detail), 2022
Textiles, Beads 7.5" round x 3"
A pillbox hat, using my mother’s favorite color palette. Embellished with a photo of my mother and myself as a child, her signature from an old card, a flower from an arrangement and pieces of jewelry I had given her over the years. Vintage trim and beaded yo-yos complete the surface design.
Kathy Knapp
Dichotomy of Red (full view), 2022
textiles, beads 34" x 28" x 18"
This jacket reflects mixed emotions of what the color red means to me. It expresses both love and anger over the loss of my mother to dementia. The predominate color red is symbolic of both emotions, whereas the more purple hues are indicative of the disease itself. The beaded floral vines on the front and reverse views are suggestive of the quickly growing amyloid plaques degrading her mind, while exaggerated/deflated sleeves represent the loss of her once powerful personality.
Kathy Knapp
Dichotomy of Red (detail), 2022
Textiles, beads 34" x 28" x 18"
This jacket reflects mixed emotions of what the color red means to me. It expresses both love and anger over the loss of my mother to dementia. The predominate color red is symbolic of both emotions, whereas the more purple hues are indicative of the disease itself. The beaded floral vines on the front and reverse views are suggestive of the quickly growing amyloid plaques degrading her mind, while exaggerated/deflated sleeves represent the loss of her once powerful personality.
Kathy Knapp
Pandemic Remembrance, 2021
Textiles, Felted wool from recycled sweater, Beads, Czech button 7.5" x 10" x 1"
An evening bag, entirely constructed by hand, in tribute to all whom we have lost. The design on the felted black background suggests a Corona-like memorial wreath. The background and handle motif were created from a recycled and deconstructed sweater which was felted. Free-motion quilting with metallic thread creates texture and movement. Beaded yo-yos form the wreath.
