Portfolio > Virtual Exhibition, "Messages In Threads and Wings"

This is an online version of "Messages In Threads and Wings: Recent Work by Lesley Patterson-Marx," on view at Appalachian Center for Craft through October 2, 2020.
You can view a video of the exhibition here, and videos of the artist's books here, or click on the first four images below to see the books in action. Click on individual images for more details and writing about each piece. Scroll to the bottom to read the artist's statement and view installation images of the exhibition. Click here to read a beautiful review of the exhibition in The Nashville Scene, by Erica Ciccarone, Culture Editor.

Bird's Nest Protector Apron by Lesley Patterson-Marx
silk organza and vintage linen; marbled by the artist, archival inkjet print on organza, found bird’s eggs and nest
20"x24"
2020
$2200
Bird's Nest Protector Apron (detail)
silk organza and vintage linen; marbled by the artist, archival inkjet print on organza, found bird’s eggs and nest
20"x24"
2020
Bird's Nest Protector Apron (detail)
silk organza and vintage linen; marbled by the artist, archival inkjet print on organza, found bird’s eggs and nest
20"x24"
2020
Bird's Nest Protector Apron (detail)
silk organza and vintage linen; marbled by the artist, archival inkjet print on organza, found bird’s eggs and nest
20"x24"
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book) by Lesley Patterson-Marx
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
$2200
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book)-Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book) Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book)-Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book) Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book)-Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box (with Finding Center book)-Detail
found book, embroidery, buttons, mica, dollhouse nails, pins, fabric, found objects, archival inkjet print, collage, relief print, book board
7 ¾” x 10 x 1 ½” open, 7 ¾” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½” closed
2020
Finding Center Book (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Finding Center Book detail (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Finding Center Book detail (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Finding Center Book detail (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Finding Center Book detail (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Finding Center Book detail (part of Fabrics and Dress Sewing Meditation Box)
embroidery on paper, thread, collage, buttons
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3/8"
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor Butterfly, Collective Memory Protector Apron by Lesley Patterson-Marx
silk organza; marbled by the artist, walnut fabric; dyed by the artist, applique, machine stitching, embroidery, archival digital prints on paper and fabric, Hackberry Emperor and Swallowtail Butterflies, mica, digital prints of found photographs
24" x 33"
2020
$2200
Pipevine Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor Butterfly, Collective Memory Protector Apron, Detail
Silk organza; marbled by the artist, walnut fabric; dyed by the artist, appliqué, machine stitching, embroidery, archival digital prints on fabric and paper, Hackberry Emperor and Swallowtail Butterflies, mica, digital prints of found photographs
24" x 33"
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor Butterfly, Collective Memory Protector Apron, Detail
Silk organza; marbled by the artist, walnut fabric; dyed by the artist, appliqué, machine stitching, embroidery, archival digital prints on fabric and paper, Hackberry Emperor and Swallowtail Butterflies, mica, digital prints of found photographs
24" x 33"
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail and Hackberry Emperor Butterfly, Collective Memory Protector Apron, Detail-pocket contents
archival digital prints on paper, mica, thread, Hackberry Emperor and Swallowtail Butterflies
2020
Messages in Threads and Wings, From the Collective Unconscious
silk organza, machine stitching, hand stitching, embroidery, appliqué, archival inkjet print on silk, found photographs, cotton thread, mica, Hackberry Emperor Butterflies
6 ¼” x 4 ½” x 1” closed, 6 ¼” x 11 ½” open
2020
Messages in Threads and Wings, From the Collective Unconscious-Detail
silk organza, machine stitching, hand stitching, embroidery, appliqué, archival inkjet print on silk, found photographs, cotton thread, mica, Hackberry Emperor Butterflies
6 ¼” x 4 ½” x 1” closed, 6 ¼” x 11 ½” open
2020
Messages in Threads and Wings, From the Collective Unconscious-Detail
silk organza, machine stitching, hand stitching, embroidery, appliqué, archival inkjet print on silk, found photographs, cotton thread, mica, Hackberry Emperor Butterflies
6 ¼” x 4 ½” x 1” closed, 6 ¼” x 11 ½” open
2020
Messages in Threads and Wings, From the Collective Unconscious-Detail
silk organza, machine stitching, hand stitching, embroidery, appliqué, archival inkjet print on silk, found photographs, cotton thread, mica, Hackberry Emperor Butterflies
6 ¼” x 4 ½” x 1” closed, 6 ¼” x 11 ½” open
2020
Messages in Threads and Wings, From the Collective Unconscious-Detail
silk organza, machine stitching, hand stitching, embroidery, appliqué, archival inkjet print on silk, found photographs, cotton thread, mica, Hackberry Emperor Butterflies
6 ¼” x 4 ½” x 1” closed, 6 ¼” x 11 ½” open
2020
Four Leaf Clover Protector Apron and Mask by Lesley Patterson-Marx
silk organza, four leaf clovers, cotton thread, metallic thread, hand stitching
31" x 23"
2020
$2200
Four Leaf Clover Protector Apron and Mask-Detail
silk organza, four leaf clovers, cotton thread, metallic thread, hand stitching
31" x 23"
2020
Four Leaf Clover Protector Apron and Mask-Detail-Detail
silk organza, four leaf clovers, cotton thread, metallic thread, hand stitching
31" x 23"
2020
Four Leaf Clover Protector Apron and Mask-Detail
silk organza, four leaf clovers, cotton thread, metallic thread, hand stitching
31" x 23"
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail Raised Cord Book
marbled paper, raised cord binding, mica window, waxed linen thread, cotton fabric, vellum, dollhouse nails, 80lb drawing paper
8 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 1 ½”
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail Raised Cord Book-Detail
marbled paper, raised cord binding, mica window, waxed linen thread, cotton fabric, vellum, dollhouse nails, 80lb drawing paper
8 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 1 ½”
2020
Pipevine Swallowtail Raised Cord Book-Detail
marbled paper, raised cord binding, mica window, waxed linen thread, cotton fabric, vellum, dollhouse nails, 80lb drawing paper
8 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 1 ½”
2020
Hummingbird Protector Apron by Lesley Patterson-Marx
cotton fabric, silk organza fabric, relief printing, eco printing, silkscreen, hummingbird vine, machine stitching, hand stitching, and embroidery
31”x32”
2019
$2200
Hummingbird Protector Apron-Detail
cotton fabric, silk organza fabric, relief printing, eco printing, silkscreen, hummingbird vine, machine stitching, hand stitching, and embroidery
31”x32”
2019
Hummingbird Protector Apron-Detail
cotton fabric, silk organza fabric, relief printing, eco printing, silkscreen, hummingbird vine, machine stitching, hand stitching, and embroidery
31”x32”
2019
Hummingbird Protector Apron-Detail
cotton fabric, silk organza fabric, relief printing, eco printing, silkscreen, hummingbird vine, machine stitching, hand stitching, and embroidery
31”x32”
2019
Spring Window
archival inkjet print, wood, fabric, book board, mica
3” x 2” x 1”
2020
$100
Spring Window-Detail
archival inkjet print, wood, fabric, book board, mica
3” x 2” x 1”
2020
Spring Window-Detail
archival inkjet print, wood, fabric, book board, mica
3” x 2” x 1”
2020
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)
archival inkjet print, machine stitching, hand stitching, thread, buttons
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
$100
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)-Detail
archival inkjet print, machine stitching, hand stitching, thread, buttons
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)-Detail
archival inkjet print, machine stitching, hand stitching, thread, buttons
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)-Detail
archival inkjet print, machine stitching, hand stitching, thread, buttons
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)-Detail
archival inkjet print, wood, fabric, book board, mica
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
Finding Center (Limited Edition Book)-Detail
archival inkjet print, machine stitching, hand stitching, thread, buttons
3 ½” x 2 ½” x 3/8”
2020
Correspondence Book by Lesley Patterson-Marx
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
$1400
Correspondence Book-Detail
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
Correspondence Book-Detail
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
Correspondence Book-Detail
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
Correspondence Book-Detail
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
Correspondence Book-Detail
fabric, cyanotype on fabric, machine and hand stitching, found photographs, found objects
6 ¾” x 16 open, 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” x 1 ½” closed
2018
A Neighbor's House by Lesley Patterson-Marx
collage, found photograph
4" x 4"
2015
$150
Fabric Artist's Book by Lesley Patterson-Marx
Fabric, found objects, thread, archival ink
6" x 24" x 1.25", 6" x 4" closed
2018
$1400
Fabric Artist's Book by Lesley Patterson-Marx
Fabric, found objects, thread, archival ink
6" x 24" x 1.25", 6" x 4" closed
2018
Fabric Artist's Book by Lesley Patterson-Marx
Fabric, found objects, thread, archival ink
6" x 24" x 1.25", 6" x 4" closed
2018
Fabric Artist's Book by Lesley Patterson-Marx
Fabric, found objects, thread, archival ink
6" x 24" x 1.25", 6" x 4" closed
2018
Notions (1), mixed media fiber art by Lesley Patterson-Marx
fabric, found objects, thread, archival ink
11.5" x 15.5 unframed, 18" x22" with frame
2018
$350
The Apron Strings of Ancestors by Lesley Patterson-Marx, Fiber Arts, Vintage Aprons, Marbling on Fabric, Mixed Media Art
Marbling on vintage table linens, vintage handkerchief, found fabric trim, found embroidery, inkjet print on cotton and organza, thread, beads, ric-rac
11"x18"
2016
$600
Fiber Arts, Vintage Aprons, Marbling on Fabric, Mixed Media Art
Marbling on vintage table linens, vintage handkerchief, found fabric trim, found embroidery, inkjet print on cotton and organza, thread, beads, ric-rac
2016
Fiber Arts, Vintage Aprons, Marbling on Fabric, Mixed Media Art
Marbling on vintage table linens, vintage handkerchief, found fabric trim, found embroidery, inkjet print on cotton and organza, thread, beads, ric-rac
2016

Artist's Statement for the Exhibition
Through the process of creating mixed-media artists’ books and works from paper and fabric, I express wonder at the connections between human life and the natural world. My work often begins in response to things that I find and collect, both natural and human-made. Through the pairing of these objects, images, and textures, I work intuitively, inviting the accidental and synchronous to reveal sublime mysteries that reside within the mundane.

In my most recent work, I explore the idea of the apron as a container for ideas surrounding the protection of nature and one’s mind, body, and spirit. A vestment of sacred ritual, caretaking, and service, this humble garment has the power to protect its wearer and the fragile contents of its pockets. The pockets of my aprons carry collections and messages that enshrine that which is ephemeral and enduring, small treasures that represent the persistence of life.

Through the use of symbolic imagery in my artists’ books and boxes, the viewer is invited to consider the act of sewing as a means for mindful reflection and self-discovery. Inherent in the act of sewing is the power to heal the spirit and protect the body with the intention of one’s own creations. In other works, I form connections between sewing and the reflective practice of handwriting letters, combining postal imagery and textures with thread and cloth. Fabric envelopes enshrine memory, buttons and zippers reveal and conceal loss and longing, and cancelled stamps are free to be stitched into new forms, as their duty to carry letters has been fulfilled.

In considering the variety of ideas that I embrace in my creative practice, I see that they are all connected by a desire to use art as a means of healing mind, body, and spirit, and to affirm the humanity of all people through our deep and abiding connection to one another and to the earth.