Right now the Penland Gallery’s exhibition hall is filled with things that were broken. That might seem strange, except that all of these items have been repaired in ways that make them more interesting or more beautiful than they were before. The exhibition is called “PERFECTION: a question of repair,” and it was curated by Celia Pym, who has taught several Penland workshops on visible mending. It is on view through November 29 with a reception and other events on Friday, October 17.
The exhibition features work by twelve artists from the US, the UK, and France. The pieces include sweaters, socks (a wall covered with beautifully darned socks!), quilts, leather work, broken bottles (repaired with wood, leather, and other materials), furniture, a hot water bottle, and several torn but beautifully stitched shopping bags. Most of the original objects were fairly plain, but the repairs have turned them into art.
The events on Friday, October 17 will begin at 3:00 PM in Penland’s Northlight Building with a film called “Can Everything Be Mended?” At 3:30 PM there will be a short talk by curator and textile artist Celia Pym. Then the festivities will move to the gallery for a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
Also on view is a small show titled “Linger” featuring objects that evoke a sense of comfort and care and are meant to make the home a warm and welcoming environment during the short, cold days of winter. This show includes works in ceramics, textiles, metal, wood, and other materials.
The Penland Gallery includes a sales gallery with work in many materials by artists associated with Penland School of Craft and a room dedicated to the school’s history and programs. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s the first building on your right as you enter the Penland School campus, which is located on Conley Ridge Road just off Penland Road in Mitchell County, North Carolina. For more information visit penland.org/gallery or call 828-765-6211.
PHOTO: Celia Pym, Johnny’s Socks, mended socks
Penland School of Craft is a national center for craft education dedicated to the creative life. Located in Western North Carolina, Penland offers workshops in books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, printmaking and letterpress, photography, textiles, and wood. The school also provides artists’ residencies, an outreach program, and a gallery and visitors center. Penland is a nonprofit, tax-exempt institution that receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resource. More information at penland.org.
