Artist

Description

Beth Yazhari
Acrylic paint and cold wax on paper mounted on wooden panel
29"h x 22"w

About the artist

"I make art that celebrates reflection, craftsmanship and time-consuming labor in the pursuit of beauty. I strive to make spiritually uplifting art, to create oases of beauty and wonder in a frenetic society that is increasingly in need of both.

Discarded doilies and remnants of embroidered fabrics are a source of inspiration to me; by rescuing them and recycling them into my beaded paintings, I hope to honor and collaborate with the creative spirit of past generations of women from around the world whose handiwork has often been ignored because it was not created to be displayed in a gallery.

In repurposing lovingly made decorative textiles as formal elements of compositions on canvas, I build on the labor of multiple unknown stitchers, investing many hours of my own painting and hand beading in order to highlight their beautiful creations as I bring my own unique visions into being.

My work resonates with Arts and Crafts Movement ideals, such as a preference for the handmade, but I draw on modern technology in order to help me create my globally inspired pieces. The power of the Internet allows me to track down vintage textiles, jewelry and beads from many countries as I create these multicultural works. I also edit and print my own photographs onto sheets of silk and cotton; the images are then adhered with acrylic medium to canvas or wood, and they become design elements in the symmetrical and harmonious structures of my pieces. These orderly compositions are lent movement, passion, and energy by richly painted backgrounds created by multiple layers of color.

The themes of my work revolve around elevating the status of women, honoring and purposefully bringing together diverse needlework and design motifs of cultures around the world, and creating harmony and beauty out of bits and pieces. I believe that the spirit of each human being is rich in gems of inestimable value, and I see each piece of art that I create as a reflection of an aspect of my innermost self. When I work, I listen to uplifting music, get lost in the meditative process of painting and stitching, think about the contributions of other women who have gone before me, and get absorbed in creating gorgeous fields of color. Making my art is truly a sacred act for me; I feel that creating artwork in a spirit of service to humanity is a form of worship."

http://www.bethyazhari.com/

Additional Information

All artwork is sold as is. Sales are final. Artwork should be picked up at the museum between 8pm-10pm on February 29 or March 4-7, during business hours. Purchases will not be shipped.