When I visited Lorrie Fredette's studio last April up in Saugerties, NY her work was done and she was getting ready to pack, deliver and install her show at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. She was gracious enough to let me poke around to see what was still "hanging" around. I plan to revisit when her next body of work is in progress.
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The Great Silence (abbreviated)
Beeswax, tree resin, muslin, brass, steel, nylon line
6' 2" x 36' 9" x 5' 8" suspended above the floor 9' 6" (8' of the 36' shown here)
© 2011 |
This is what Lorrie says about her work:
"My sculptures and drawings are inspired by medical and environmental news stories
pulled from today's headlines and historical sources. Upon choosing an area of focus,
such as the swine, avian and Spanish flus, or the increased incidence of poison ivy with
the growth of greenhouse gases, I set upon a rigorous course of research, gathering images
which I then alter, vet and reject through an elaborate
system designed to completely subvert and distort any likeness to the original source"
I think it so interesting that her work is done in this
studio but once it is installed the essence of the work is revealed. The
work refers to viruses yet the light, luminosity, shadows, and the odd
beauty draws you in.
You can read a review about Lorrie's current show at the Cape Cod Museum of Art at
Lorrie contributed to some of my captions so hers are in quotes.
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| Come on in! |
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| "This image shows one of my work spaces. It is where I do most of my
painting. To the left is my drawing table and right behind the chair is
a stack of my favorite books. The piece on the wall above the empty
work table is headed to the Cape Cod Museum of Art for their auction. It is titled "Bundled." |
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"Well, this is messy! I have some boxes for teaching in the foreground,
stacks of material plus another piece in progress,
"Atmospheric Causes (4)". Looks like I need to clean up some more!"
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| "This is standing at my door looking straight
across the studio. Against the exterior wall (where the two small
windows are) there are is a large element on a box from "A Pattern of
Connections" and a wooden frame wrapped with plastic suspending
"Atmospheric Causes (2)" The boxes behind Atmospheric Causes have many
other pieces and in the upper left corner is a piece in the making". |
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| Some of Lorrie's favorite books.......Kiki, Lee and of course Eva. |
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This was made by artist, Barbara Ellmann.
It is a birthday garland made from recycled candy wrappers, felt and beads. I looked at it as personalized prayer flags before Lorrie told me what it was. It is a festive string of color in her studio. |
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| favorite inspiring objects |
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Her Japanese hole puncher
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which is her favorite tool,
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that helps to create these wonderful works on paper.
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Peeking in her files we found a torn up drawing and a
waxed fabric piece. |
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| I laughed when I saw Lorrie's heat gun. These guns are usually covered in wax that is if you use them. Lorrie recently told me that the heat gun was packed away now. |
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| She dips her forms in wax baths and that is how the fusing is taking place. |
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| "A box filled with elements that I am testing new materials like handmade paper, shellac." |
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| Atmospheric Causes 2 in a case |
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"This is the underside of a wall piece. The long, thin black lines are entomology pins that have pierced
the unit. The piercing was done by artist Jill Parisi in our collaborative, Field Notes." |
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| "This is a box of "samples". I keep all of my tests and attempts to remind me how I made something to show when I teach." |
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| "One of the "Tubes" pieces" |
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| "Up close and personal with the surface of a tube" |
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| "Box-o-tubes. (Not a box of tuba's)." |
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| "Packed pods for CCMA!" |
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Packed and ready to be delivered to the Cape Cod Museum
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The Great Silence
Beeswax, tree resin, muslin, brass, steel, nylon line
© 2011
10 comments:
What an amazing and revealing post! Though I have yet to see Fredette's work in person, this gives me some more views and insight. I'll have to get to her next show. Thank you both so much for sharing. Very visceral and subliminal work at the same time. Is that even possible?
Love seeing the studio and getting to know more about Lorri's process....Incredible. Kudos to you both.
Lisa, thanks for this post. It's so interesting to see an artist's studio. I did see the installation at the Cape Cod Museum on the way back from the conference, and I am amazed that Lorrie could make so many pods in her studio because I thought it would have to be a gigantic space. Lorrie, you must be super organized! Congratulations on a beautiful piece and an inspiring peek into your workspace.
Thank you to for sharing your studio visit and giving such an authenic look at Lorrie's process and space. Where can I get a Japanese hole punch? Does it come in a variety of sizes? Wish I could get to the cape to see Lorrie's work in person. For now photographs will have to do.
Hi Peggy,
I purchased the Japanese Hole Punches from a Japanese artist visiting this country. He sold me a set of 12. I've tried several times to source them without success even asking some friends living in Tokyo to look for me. If this changes, I will let you know.
Best,
Lorrie Fredette
Thanks Lorrie,
They come in a set of 12! That is even better than I could image. Please, if you ever find out where to obtain them I would be most appreciative.
All the best.
Love this post. Lorrie, you are amazing -- and Press - you do such a service to us all by bringing us into your up-close studio visits. Thanks to both of you.
Lisa, Thanks for posting. And Lorrie for sharing. Love your work and how you speak about it.
thanks all round for these fascinating glimpses
Loved getting a look inside Lorrie's studio and hearing about the ideas behind her art. Great post Lisa!
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