I've
met Kiff Slemmons at the Norton Art Museum in West Palm Beach Florida last
month,
And
I am the proud owner of her book: "Kiff Slemmons & Arte Papel
Oaxaca"
That I would love to share with you.
The
book, just as meeting Kiff in real life doesn’t begin to explain how great an
Artist she is… Kiff herself is the most generous, quiet and modest artist that
I've ever had the honor of meeting.
From
the book:
Kiff
Slemmons Joined the "arte papel oaxaea" a project founded by the
artist Francisco Toledo.
It
is a facility for making paper, located in the mountain village of Vista
Hermosa in Mexico.
The
idea of this project was to revive past technologies and provide work for the
local people.
The
project was based on a dependable local resource of water which were crucial to
the process and renewable fiber of local plants grown in the area.
Artist
invited by Toledo, worked with the artisans to create both traditional and
innovative uses for the handmade paper.
Kiff
Slemmons was invited to contribute her knowledge of jewelry.
She
took on the challenge of designing in paper rather than metal, and came to work
with the local artisans to create paper jewelry that they can reproduce. Focusing
on solid production that could provide income for
the artisans.
After
having a small local exhibition in the institute of graphic arts in Oaxaca,introducing
the activity of the workshop to the community, Kiff kept returning for 2-3
weeks a year, creating a strong working relationship with the woman, built on
trust, mutual respect and the true pleasure and pride in the making of
beautiful and unusual jewelry .
Their
combined efforts and skills enabled such innovation in unusual circumstances
and limited resources
.
I was
more than proud standing next to artists like Kiff in the "BIJOUX"
exhibition at Norton art museum, as a textile designer I am fascinated with the
fact that we can use our design skills to help to improve other
people life.
And here are some photos of her Wonderful book:
