LOCAL TALENT: APPRECIATION OF ART AND THE CREATIVE SPIRIT
by Sandy Caughron
Eugene fiber artist Sandra McMorris-Johnson has 30-plus years in her professional artistic life; her enormous volume of work in fiber art has been appreciated across the United States and is profoundly beautiful, joyful and what I came to learn on our trip to New York city, truly inspired.
Her unique fabric layering, collages, quilt and mosaic style with fabric pieces both large and small can best be summed up in her own words: “I create, I go to a place that is informed by the awareness of shape, form, line, color and space. But what I really do is go to a “zone” where fiber, color, light and experience shine through my hands. “
On a whim, Sandi invited me to go to New York and catch the exquisite Vasily Kandinsky exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum before it closed on January 15th. She told me that Kandinsky’s work had been greatly influential in her own art. I had just expressed a desire to see the Big Apple and her impromptu invitation to me was intriguing. A quick assessment of family, work schedules and finances allowed me to say: “Let’s go!”. I had no idea of the depth of appreciation for both art and artist that I would have by the end of our girlfriend get-away journey.
I love Sandi’s fiber art! I have had the advantage not only of seeing her work on display in galleries in Eugene but the privilege of visiting her art studio. The studio is a colorful, chaotic collection of stacks and draped, hand- dyed fabrics of all shapes and sizes. Work surfaces are strewn with projects in various phases of assembly; light shines through the windows and literally falls onto the pieces. Completed works adorn the walls. It is an overwhelming visual treat to explore, and appreciate the details of her creative process. Her passion for the medium of fabric, and joyful expression of art direct from her heart is exceptional. What I did not know until we visited New York was how much she was influenced artistically by the works of Kandinsky.
Once in New York, we headed to the Guggenheim, anxious to see the very special exhibit that had been set up to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary. We started at the top of the architecturally beautiful spiral path through the Guggenheim and spent a luxurious amount of time viewing more than 100 of his paintings.
Oh, the pleasures of seeing his works with an artist who really knows his style! When I saw his paintings in front of me, their true colors, the points, lines, geometrical balance, with thoughtful themes and playful content, I finally saw the inspiration for Sandi’s fiber art. I was so touched watching her face as she examined and savored the beautiful works before us. What a treat! I look anew at her fabric art and while I see her unique style and design, I also see the influence of Kandinsky’s work. By the end of the exhibit as I watched her smiling face basking in the world of Kandinsky, I felt that I was truly in the presence of a great artist.
It was a fun week filled with many museum visits, good food, Broadway shows. But nothing is as memorable as spending time with a good friend and getting such a unique perspective on art and the creative spirit.
