TRACES I Painting

VALERIE ZEMAN Cloth is Valerie Zeman’s medium of choice. In the artist’s words: “Cloth is tactile, easily manipulated, and allows itself to be altered in many different ways. I create my own cloth using a variety of surface design elements, usually building upon my previous creations by trying new techniques. Textural elements are important in my work because they pull the viewer in for a closer look at the art. A piece of ‘canvas’ (linen, silk or cotton) becomes the working space for the conscious application of a planned thought, idea or emotion. Through dye and discharging agents, inks, paints, graphite and other media, my textile art gives dimension to feelings in the same way a poet draws us in through language. Hand-stitching, while adding layers and textures, brings a sense of meditation to the work, and machine stitching corrals an overarching cohesiveness. My art pieces are evocative, engaging and thought-provoking as you look closely into their creation and ever more broadly into their meaning.” Zeman’s compositions include varied techniques and extensive detail that add to the subtle narratives woven into each piece.