2011

Indigenous Autos

This is a record of an American ideal. I had the blessed opportunity to be in the middle of the process for sorting the value of rusty metal car parts. What stays and what is useless; therefore ready to melt down. I was drawn to both sides and this gave me an opportunity to dig into the soil at this unique junk yard, ' Old Car Parts'. I wanted to create a new American made car with the mismatched parts of the vintage Chevrolet and highlight the small wonders that otherwise would have stayed buried. Grills, gas caps, lights, copper gaskets, radiator, hood, window garnishes, ash trays, are some of the treasures I found. Each of these parts had humor and details of design that showed a sensual side. I started to explore using encaustic processes with my silks. Years before I experimented with epoxy and loved the look but not the toxic effects. Using wax had a similar visual effect but smelled really good and fairly non toxic.

Truck Grill, 2011, silk rust, tannin, 80″x18″.

Tail Gate, 2011, silk, rust, shibori, natural dye, 54″x15″.

1940 Chevy, 2011, 3 silk panels, rust, 54x70x12.

1940 Chevy (angle)

From the Inside, 2011, 2 silk panels,, rust, 54x70x24.

From the Inside (detail).

Lucille, 2011, metal, silk, rust, lace, dye, 31″x16″.

Butterfly Kundalini, 2011, silk, rust, shibori, natural dye, 48″x36″.

Balance, 2011, silk, rust, 16″x34″.

Belly Button, 2011, silk, rust, beeswax, 9’x9″.

Butterfly Clamp, 2011, silk, rust, patina, shibori, natural dye, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Double Vision, 2011, silk, rust, patina, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Gasket, 2011, silk, patina, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Gasket Eyes, 2011, silk, rust, patina, beeswax, 10″x10″.

Grasp, 2011, silk, rust, patina, dye, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Sketchy Ashtray, 2011, silk, rust, tannin, beeswax, 10’x10″.

Inner Light, 2011, silk, rust, natural dye, beeswax, 10″x10″.

Lace Gasket, 2011, silk, patina, lace, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Profile, 2011, silk, rust, natural dye, beeswax, 10″x10″.

Gas Cap, 2011, silk, rust, patina, beeswax, 15″x15″.

Scrape, 2011, silk, rust, paper, beeswax, 10″x10″.

 

© Rio Wrenn