Evolve exhibition at the Propeller Gallery in Toronto opens in September

Judith E Martin is one of six artists exhibiting in Toronto this fall.

between heaven and earth  12 x 12 inches

Judy made three new hand stitched pieces with circular motifs for this group exhibition.

in my arms humble   21 x 11 x 5 inches

Each circle began at its outer edge with the most basic of stitches, the running stitch.  This simple stitch was continued round and round inside the circle, with each stitch carefully placed to line up with the one in the previous row.  The size of the stitches gradually decreased as the centre was approached.  The concentrated repetition of working in this way put the artist into a kind of trance.  It's hard to explain, but Judy felt cared for by the slow work, as if she were hugging herself.

turning forever to the heart  12 x 12 inches

Stitching as a way of mark making is time consuming and sensuous.  The maker's hands touch the cloth repeatedly and create a surface that others yearn to touch.  The use of touch and the amount of meditative time contained in hand stitched art has a mystic and healing power. 

These pieces were inspired by traditional Indian kantha (chatai circles), the Japanese Nui Project and the whirling devotional dance of the poet and Sufi priest, Rumi.

The show runs from September 14 - October 2 and then continues online for another couple of weeks.   The opening of the exhibition is on September 17 from 2 - 5 pm. 

Propeller Gallery -   30 Abell Street, Toronto Ontario Canada.