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McPherson College News Feeds:
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McPherson College Announces Barbara Barkley as Guest Artist during December and January
Barbara Barkley, a fibers artist, who works and resides in the remote White Mountains of New Mexico, will be displaying some of her works during the months of December and January in Friendship Hall on the McPherson College campus. This show will open on Thursday, December 3 and will run through Friday, January 22. Viewing hours in Friendship Hall are Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm.
Even though sculpture was her first love in art, Barkley’s creative process has evolved to working with the creation of paper from plants, an ancient process she learned from Japanese papermakers. “It is the feeling of antiquity and textural richness that so intrigues me when I approach my papermaking. There is an alchemical feel to breaking down the flax, hemp, linen, cotton rag and sisal into fine fibers and pigmenting them with natural earthen pigments and quality, light-fast pigments. Each fiber and color lends its own character to the final artwork,” states Barkley.
“Barbara’s long-standing respect for tradition and antiquity is evident in her work. Her paper is made from plants with strong fibers and most of her color comes from natural pigments. It is her unique “layering” process of colored pulps and her obvious reverence of the natural world that together create a strong sense of spirituality that is truly uncommon. I am elated that Barbara has chosen to share her work with us,” adds Wayne Conyers, professor of art at McPherson College.
Barkley will be giving a gallery talk on Thursday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m. There will also be a reception for the artist that evening from 7 – 8:30. The public is invited to attend both events.
The quietness of their mountain home, designed and built by Barkley and husband, Michael Colombo, is an essential part of their creative lives. She and her husband live in a straw bale home in which their power is sun and wind generated.
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