Retired: Honouring the Transition . LOOK Art Show Victoria BC

(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.