The Department of Art & Design is currently hosting Fiber//Form, a two-week-long exhibition of artwork that students have made in fiber courses at PSOA. Over thirty artists are represented in the show.
The unfamiliar art of fibers
Fiber art, such as knitting and crocheting, has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years. However, many are unaware of how fiber art fits into the professional art world. Fiber//Form is a prime example of how PSOA students are elevating the discipline into a fine art context.
“I think fibers often get viewed mainly as a craft and less so as an artistic form,” said Bernadette Dawson, a junior. “You don’t see a lot of it in art museums and whatnot, so it may not be a discipline that you think about when coming into art school.”
Dawson primarily focuses on 3D art such as sculpting, woodworking, and welding, and was drawn to take Introduction to Fibers (ART 231) to gain even more experience in art that requires a physical, hands-on approach.
Two of Dawson’s pieces are displayed at Fiber//Form, including an intimate coiling project that represents Dawson’s life, focusing on her relationship with her daughter. She described how working with Kyoung Ae Cho (Professor, Fibers) helped her create the project.
“Kyoung Ae helps you think holistically about your project in relationship to fibers,” said Dawson.“She does a really great job of getting you to think outside the box.”
Students showcasing work at Fiber//Form utilize fiber classes to integrate other aspects of their artistic approach into fiber art.
Jessica Isaacs’ piece “Inversions” studies color theory through two large fabric panels. Isaacs, a senior whose primary discipline is fibers, describes how the Peck School has been encouraging when it comes to mixing fiber art with other disciplines that she is interested in.
“If I’m taking classes outside of fibers, I’m always encouraged to mix my work in fibers with other forms of art,” said Isaacs. “I think there’s curiosity that people have about what you can actually do with fiber art.”
Isaacs came to PSOA not knowing that fiber art was something she could focus on as an major, deciding to do so because of her 20+ year passion for fiber art. This passion is partially influenced by Isaacs’ ability to stay busy and active through creating art.
“I think a lot of people use [fibers] to keep your hands busy while letting your mind be free to do other things,” said Isaacs.
This is the case for many students who pursue fibers at PSOA.
Ari St. Germaine, a senior, started crocheting two years ago. Her positive experience with the art form led her to pursue fiber art at the Peck School, due in part to its ability to relieve stress.
“I feel like it’s more meditative, which separates itself from other art programs,” said St. Germaine.
The community of fiber art
Fiber art’s niche at PSOA has led to a strong community of artists pursuing the discipline. Most fibers-based students use the fiber studio to access equipment. St. Germaine describes how positive this has been in allowing herself and others to intermingle.
“It helps build community,” said St. Germaine. “You get to see what other people are working on and ask them about their process.”
Esperanza Reyes, a junior, also felt inspired by interacting with students in the fibers studio.
“I was super intimidated by it,” said Reyes. “But being in the room was very inspirational… We were all very new to the material and all encouraged each other to make something outside of our comfort zone.”
Reyes went into the Introduction to Fibers course with minimal experience in fiber art. However, Reyes believes that what makes fiber art special is how accessible it can be, whether or not someone considers themselves an artist.
“At the end of the day, you are making art,” said Reyes. “It doesn’t matter how many more skills you have than someone who’s doing something smaller or more decorative. It’s all still art.”
Fiber//Form is on view Wednesday-Saturday until February 14 in Kenilworth Square East. For more information, visit the PSOA Events Calendar.
Story by Jason McCullum ’25