(re-post from November 27 2008)
Men's ties are such a source of lovely raw material and I have seen many creative uses of them by different people. This is one of my efforts and I would like to share it with you.
It was in the LOOK Show in Victoria a year or so ago.
Retired : Honouring the Transition
Artist's Statement,
Men's ties are fascinating – in themselves, in their history. They are often bought as gifts; there seem to be no cheap ties! Much thought usually goes into their selection: match an outfit; match an occasion; match a personality. I have been collecting ties over many years; wool, silk, cotton, polyester…woven, handmade, painted…pristine to ragbag candidate. When I acquire them at garage sales the comment heard over and over is "I don't need to wear a tie any more – I'm retired." And then usually a wistful glance at the pile of ties. These twenty-two ties represent the leap from 'business' to 'leisure'. I joined them together with French knots and then knit them using my arms as the knitting needles. During this process of arm knitting came the thought of a neck hug and the hugger becoming a human tie, for a moment, and easing the transition.