Art in the Sanctuary
Title: Expressing Reality as Felt
Artist: Sharron Parker
Dates: March 3 - April 27, 2024
Artist: Sharron Parker
Dates: March 3 - April 27, 2024
Danube Sunset
Artist Statement:
Expressing Reality as Felt
Robert Motherwell said that “The function of the artist is to
express reality as felt.” Sharron Parker does that literally
— using handmade felt as her medium. Felting is believed
to be the oldest textile technique, dating to the Stone Age.
2500-year-old felts have been found in Siberian tombs,
depicting the nomadic people, their horses, and other
animal imagery.
Here Sharron bases her work on places she has traveled
— France, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, etc. — and the
natural world of butterflies, plants, and more. Her latest
work is about contemplating the future, including 2 felt
pieces for a green burial.
Expressing Reality as Felt
Robert Motherwell said that “The function of the artist is to
express reality as felt.” Sharron Parker does that literally
— using handmade felt as her medium. Felting is believed
to be the oldest textile technique, dating to the Stone Age.
2500-year-old felts have been found in Siberian tombs,
depicting the nomadic people, their horses, and other
animal imagery.
Here Sharron bases her work on places she has traveled
— France, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, etc. — and the
natural world of butterflies, plants, and more. Her latest
work is about contemplating the future, including 2 felt
pieces for a green burial.
Shuttered Window / Sagelat, France
Brief Biography
Sharron Parker received an undergraduate degree from Duke
University and a masters degree from UNC-Greensboro, studying
education, art, and interior design. She continued her study in textiles
with classes at Penland School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, where she has returned to teach workshops in felting.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the US, in France, and
through the Art in Embassies program, in Turkmenistan and Armenia. It can also be seen in these publications: 500 Felt Objects, 1000 Artisan Textiles, and Artistry in Fiber: Wall Art. She has been a feltmaker for 42 years.
Sharron Parker received an undergraduate degree from Duke
University and a masters degree from UNC-Greensboro, studying
education, art, and interior design. She continued her study in textiles
with classes at Penland School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, where she has returned to teach workshops in felting.
Her work has been exhibited throughout the US, in France, and
through the Art in Embassies program, in Turkmenistan and Armenia. It can also be seen in these publications: 500 Felt Objects, 1000 Artisan Textiles, and Artistry in Fiber: Wall Art. She has been a feltmaker for 42 years.