Merle Axelrad Serlin

I create landscapes made from thousands of tiny pieces of fabric. Fragments of woven color and texture are carefully arranged, layered, pinned and sewn together. In my fabric collages, I distill a place to its essence, and to this end each piece of fabric is carefully selected to make an individual contribution.

Although my landscapes are recognizable as real places, I approach the various elements as abstract forms. Rocks, hills, and branches - serve as supporting actors, but the real stars are light and movement. Light creates shadows and reveals forms. The arrangement of these forms leads viewers through the image and creates movement.

Rocks above the water disappear at the water line. The landscape is separated into river and shore. Caught between these two worlds, one above the water and one below, is the world of reflections. Sometimes the light is just right, and we can see all three worlds at once. That is the moment that I capture in my work.

I worked as an architect for twelve years, before finally admitting art is my true passion. My education includes:
University of California, Berkeley, Master of Architecture, 1979

Architectural Association, London, England, Extension Graduate Studies, 1978-79

University of California, Berkeley, B.A. Political Science, 1976

Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., Dual Degree Program / Government and Fine Arts, 1972-75

Academic Awards: John K. Branner Traveling Fellowship and Eisner Prize for Design Excellence

I have been fortunate to receive several Grants and Public Commissions, including:

Sacramento City Hall, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, 2004

Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco Arts Commission, 2002

Visual Arts Fellowship, City and County of Sacramento, 2002

California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, 1999

New Works Award Grant, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, 1998
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