'Fire and Fiber' Todd Merrill Studio, South Hampton NY, USA

Todd Merrill Studio Southampton is now officially open for the summer. The gallery will be open Saturday - Monday from 10:00 - 5:00, or by appointment. 11 South Main Street in Southampton.

We are proud to present “Fire and Fiber,” an exhibition highlighting the innovative use of natural materials as artistic mediums. This unique showcase explores the environmentally friendly practices employed by artists whose singular drive towards innovation creates a more environmentally conscious future. Through the skillful utilization of fiber and clay, this exhibition showcases artists who embrace environmentally friendly techniques while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Ceramic as a sustainable artistic practice offers numerous environmental benefits, serving as a testament to the exhibition’s commitment to promoting eco-conscious creativity. Ceramics are derived from the earth itself, predominantly composed of clay and water. This natural origin makes them a renewable resource that can be responsibly sourced without depleting finite resources. Fiber and textile art utilizing natural materials is evidence of the great potential for sustainability. Organic cotton, paper, hemp, jute and silk provide a robust material that is eco- friendly due to their rapid growth and low environmental impact. These materials are renewable and biodegradable, making them excellent choices for artists seeking to minimize their environmental impact.

On view are works from Joseph Cleghorn and Connor Moxam, Curtis Fontaine, Vadim Kibardin, Annie Legault, Christopher Russell, Erik Speer, and Gerri Spilka.

This pic shows "Fiber" artists, Gerri Spilka, whose arresting quilted tapestries have more to do with modern abstract painting than traditional quilt making, paper chairs by Vadim Kibardin, a pioneer of circular design, whose construction methods utilize the underexploited properties of mundane packing materials, and new to the gallery, Annie Legault. Legault creates intricate hanging crochet sculptures from a diverse variety of natural. An advocate for the process of “slow design”, Legault’s direction is to evoke a sense of cocooning, thus ensuring that every piece exudes a sense of comfort, warmth, quality and originality. Through the skillful utilization of fiber and ceramics, this exhibition showcases artists who embrace environmentally sustainable materials to push the boundaries of artistic expression.