Exhibition Pieces

Last spring, I entered the lace competition in Sansepolcro, Italy. Devon Thein had put the word out that they were reviving their biannual event. They were asking particularly for international entries to help raise the awareness that the festival was being put on again. They also felt that international involvement would help them in their application to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both worthy goals – so I decided to enter. Stele (a monument) was the theme. My design is made of 3 sections of wire lace. The Le Pompe section at the base of the plinth is intended to honor the solid foundation of historical laces which contemporary lacemakers can tap into. It is made in one layer with contrasting colors which show the intricacy of the pattern.

Wires travel upwards to connect to a contemporary segment at the top of the plinth; made in 2 layers again with the contrasting colors. These colored segments change positions – with the top layer becoming the bottom layer – adding an extra row of ground stitch to the length of the top layer creates an arch giving the piece a series of raised segments. A mode of distortion used in contemporary lace forms an undulating shape adding visual interest.

Depicting the internationalism of lace the plinth is topped with a globe containing the 3rd segment of lace. Also 2 layers it forms a swirling spiral – but instead of swapping the underside for the topside the layers are connected at each pin so the lace is one color on one side and a different color on the reverse. There was a very short amount of time to produce a piece due to the organization getting last minute go ahead. My finished piece is quite abbreviated from my original design which had longer segments of lace. Even so I think it captured my intent. Scale is always difficult to show – the piece is about 32 inches (81cm) tall. I took first prize – a gold bobbin.