BARBARA M. BERK

Three of Barbara M. Berk’s bobbin lace sculptures – “Oskar Schlemmer’s Dancer”, “Grand French Knot” and “Around and Around” – have been selected for Intertwined:  The Art of Basketry at Arc Project Gallery in San Francisco, CA.

 

According to curators Rachel Leibman and Linda Tapscott, “basket making has evolved from its utilitarian roots into a unique form of artistic expression. Our exhibit celebrates this vibrant evolution, showcasing a diverse array of makers who push the boundaries of basketry, blending traditional techniques with a wholly contemporary perspective. With their use of unconventional materials and innovative shapes, the artists incorporate cultural narratives and personal stories into their work. The art in this exhibit is genuinely unexpected, the results of putting an ostensibly simple craft into such creative and original hands.”

 

Barbara M. Berk’s sculpture embodies this use of unconventional materials and innovative shapes in her application of traditional fiber techniques to metal.  She makes bobbin lace by hand, and then curves, loops, twists, interweaves, layers, sews, embroiders, and filigrees the flat lace “fabric” into 3-dimensional forms. 

 

The exhibition opens on Saturday, February 22, 2025 with a reception from 7 – 9pm.  A Curatorial Tour and Artists Talk is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 1:30 – 3:30pm.  The exhibition runs through Saturday April 5, 2025.

 

Arc Gallery & Studios is a mixed-use art center in San Francisco’s South of Market district consisting of three galleries, ten artist studios, The Kearny Street Workshop office, and Café Suspiro. It supports the making of quality art in all media, provides a supportive environment for artists to create their work, nurtures a community of artists, and promotes public awareness and appreciation of the visual arts in the city of San Francisco.

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Information about the exhibition is

courtesy of the Curators and Arc Gallery.

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About the work in the Exhibition: