Interview Series: Ben Jones

For the final installment of our Interview Series for this semester, we have an interview with Ben Jones, a weaver in the graduate program of Textile Design. Ben is a force of energy in the studio and his absence will be noticeable after he graduates this month but we are so excited to see where he goes from here.  Be sure to check out Ben and all of our graduates' thesis show at the Paley Design Center on Dec 13 from 4-7pm. Enjoy!

How did you choose Textile Design as a major?

I was interested in silk-screen printing as an art form. I wanted to gain more technical skills in printing on fabrics using newer technologies. When I took a class in weaving, I knew that I wanted to weave all the time, so I made that my major. Weaving also allows me to dabble in making images (like prints), but also textures, and forms with really cool machinery and technology.

When did you learn to knit/weave/print, and who taught you?

I learned how to silk-screen print at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in 2016. The apprenticeship mentors taught me how to do silk-screen printing on like 50 yards of fabric. I learned how to weave in Weave Design 1 with the amazing teacher here, Bridget Foster.

Do you have a background in design or textiles?

I have a background in a “fine” art studio practice, which included painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.

Who are your design heroes?

Probably Rei Kawakubo from Comme Des Garcons, or Wolfgang Tillmans (an amazing German photographer), or Anni Albers for uncovering the visual language of weaving, there are too many…

Tell us about the colors, landscapes, artists, or architecture that inspire your design work.

Rosy colors have been a theme in my work for about a year now. Science Fiction plant life, queer culture, house music, physics, early morning light, paradigm shifts, and urban life are just a few of the things that inspire me. Like the previous question, there are too many to list them all, so many!

Which design from your portfolio are you most proud of, or is most special to you?

I don’t have a single design that I am most proud of. There’s one weaving that has sort of been cemented as “the best,” but that’s likely because it was the first in the series I am working on. The weaving I am talking about opened a lot of doors for new weavings, so it’s special to me.

Are there any techniques in textile design you’d like to explore further?

Multi-layer cloth, open reed, weaving with one warp on multiple looms simultaneously, knitting, felting, devoree, tatting, weaving trims, moire with calendaring, macrame, braiding, ikat, resist dyeing, dye-sub printing, velvet weaving, so many things to try...

What do you have on your knitting machine/loom/sketchbook today?

I have a tubular double cloth on my loom today with different weave structures throughout that make the tube function as a “sock” or “shoe” concept. The idea is to show potential employers how weaving structures/weaving technology can be utilized in mass manufacturing to easily make shoes in one step, without cutting, sewing, etc...

What is your favorite thing to do to distract yourself from school stress?

I make sure to go hangout/chillout with my boyfriend and play video games with him every night for about an hour. 

What is your favorite class, and why?

Studio, because it’s an amazing environment and structure to discover yourself as a designer. It took a while to understand that it was up to me, though.

What advice would you give an incoming student into the Textile Design department?

Be yourself and work harder than you think you should.

What surprised you the most about Textile Design at Philau/Jefferson?

How eager the faculty is to help you make your dreams come true. They really just want to make you your best self.

What is your favorite thing about Textile Design?

I don’t have one favorite thing about Textile Design. I love that yarn is a line and is organized into a dimensional pattern. I just love that. I also LOVE the people in textiles, both in industry and school. I also love that textile design is a very powerful industry/trade, and no one understands it.

To see more of Ben's work, you can visit his website, Studio Ben Jones, or follow him on Instagram.

Interview Series: Emily Reppert

Next up in our Student Interview Series is Emily Reppert. Emily is a weaver with a background in print design. Hear her tell her design story in her own words. She'll be graduating this December with her Master's of Science in Textile Design. 

Science has always been at the root of what has inspired my art as well as design. In the past, I was attracted to the “rule breaking” theories of quantum mechanics and groundbreaking processes like CRISPR gene editing. I have also been inspired by the oddities of nature born from the lack of light and resources in the depths of the ocean. More recently I began to reflect on why I keep returning to science as a subject. As defined, science is a process which allows for better understanding of the environment that surrounds us through the use of a clear structure. We rely on science as a given, a truth. However, science as we understand it today, did not always exist. Alchemy was the precursor to science and was known as an art form. These topics are scientific in theme, but have an underlying intrigue that is more akin to the mystical and philosophical. Taking this into consideration I have shifted my current focus to look at the scientific process as a whole and specifically the precursor to science, alchemy.I interpret these concepts through the use of jacquards and dobby wovens incorporating techniques such as pile, cut floats, and deflected picks. I also experiment with materiality by utilizing elastomeric and unusual materials including metal, pipe cleaners, and latex.

 How did you choose Textile Design as a major?

I was interested in learning how to take print artwork and transform it into a woven textile. Jefferson was one of the only schools I found that had hands-on learning with not only Jacquard programs such as EAT and Pointcarre, but also the opportunity to weave on multiple industry looms on-site. Overall I felt the M.S in Textile Design program provided the technical and creative skills I would need to succeed in the industry.

 Do you have a background in design or textiles?

I have a BFA in Crafts with a focus in Fibers and an Art History Minor from Tyler School of Art of Temple University. I had also worked as a CAD/Print designer for Iron Mountains LLC for 7 years prior to attending Jefferson’s M.S. Textile Design program.

Tell us about the colours, landscapes, artists, or architecture that inspire your design work.

In the past, I have found color inspiration from unusual sources such as bacterial cultures, creatures that arise from the depths of the ocean, and tiny sea slugs called nudibranchs. I have also been drawn to the subtle and deep brilliance of colors that occur in low light situations after seeing the fantastic exhibition, Dark, at MASS MoCA. More recently, I have been looking at works by the artist Alexandar Calder and his use of motion and play in The Circus (1927).

What is your favourite book of all time?

 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I read it in the fourth grade, and it was the first time a book really got my imagination going. The book also involved the concept of time travel through the 5^th dimension beyond that of time, the 4^th dimension. Science continues to be a source of inspiration for my designs to this day.

Which design from your portfolio are you most proud of, or is most special to you?

I had the opportunity to collaborate with a fashion design student, Tommy Heidebrecht, and create a custom textile for his senior collection. What we developed together was beyond what either of us could have come up with on our own. The textiles themselves were two mirrored 60” engineered jacquards for the pants and a wool crepe double cloth fabric created for the top. His collection was chosen to walk at NYFW, and I had the opportunity to go and witness it first-hand. It was amazing!

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What would you like to be doing in 5 years?

I would love to be working as a fabric or rug designer for home textiles. More specifically, my dream is to be able to create the technical files for textiles that are made right here in the United States. The number of textile manufacturing mills remaining in the U.S are small, but they exist! 

What is your favorite thing to do to distract yourself from school stress?

I like to escape to the Wissahickon Valley Park trails! Just a few feet from school is a whole network of dirt and gravel trails in the woods surrounding Wissahickon Creek. A walk is nice, but to be able to hike deep in the woods is stress relief on a whole other level.

First Friday Finds! April 3, 2015

It's finally spring in Philadelphia! Take some much needed time out in the world to explore these exciting exhibitions!

At the Philadelphia Free Library--open 9am to 6pm
1901 Vine Street, 2nd floor
Philadelphia, PA
Free Admission.

The Krupp/Nelson Exhibition

"The exhibition in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery features experimental prints by Catherine Nelson and woodcuts and paintings by Andrea Krupp created during an artist residency in Iceland. This exhibition is part of the 2014 Call for Entries program. This project is made possible through the support of the Friends of the Print & Picture Collection and the Robert F. Looney Fund." --PW.com

Also at the Philadelphia Free Library

Philadelphia Calligrapher's Society: "The Artful Letter"

A series highlighting Fraktur, a theme for exhibition on the parkway. Fraktur is a form of manuscript folk art produced by the Pennsylvania Germans between the 1700 and 1800s, characterized by "broken" characters. The Free Library has a collection of over 1000 pieces of Fraktur folk art as well as 177 handwritten manuscripts and more than 2000 books. 

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At the National Liberty Museum-- open 6pm to 8pm

321 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

The Behind-the-Scenes Tour

"The glass art department at the National Liberty Museum is joining Old City District’s First Friday with a Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Join them as they explain why the Museum chose glass art to contextualize liberty and then take visitors through areas that are normally off-limits to the public to peek into the daily efforts of the glass team. These restricted spaces naturally curate themselves since there is a rotation of art coming in and out of the Museum for conservation, donation, and private viewings for interested collectors. Come learn about some of the artists that aren’t on display and ask questions about the glass collection that have never been answered."--NLM

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At the Hooloon Art---open 12pm to 8:30pm
53 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA  19106
Free Admission

Richard Taransky and Sandy Litchfield

A collection of paintings of using 19th century landscapes as the basis for this striking imagery! A very cool and provocative group of works. 

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At the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym-- open 6pm to 9pm
1834 E. Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Free Admission

PSG GALLERY: TE(A)CH

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"These instructors do much more than just shop upkeep. They spend time working with students and commit themselves to educating the younger artists in our community, putting other’s time and artwork ahead of their own. Te(a)ch will present the artwork of these educators in a group exhibition, demonstrating that these techs are more than the title they hold. They are extraordinarily talented artists themselves!"--PSG

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Be sure to take time to walk the neighborhoods and see all of the incredible works offered for your consumption! 

Exhibitions Not to Miss: GROWTH AND FORM: GLASS AND SILK SCULPTURES · SARA BAKKEN

Tomorrow night, March 11th at 6:00pm at the National Liberty Museum (321 Chestnut Street, Phila, PA)

Sara Bakken and Eva Shelley will be participating in the first Wednesday Night Market.
From the National Liberty Museum's site: "Eva has been a long supporter of the museum and we are thrilled to have her join us in our inaugural Wednesday Night Market. She is a local freelance artist creating glass art and glass jewelry. Eva has described glass as her first love and that passion translates in her art. Both artists derive inspiration from nature; while Eva’s glass tends to take on a lot of floral forms, Sara’s leans towards the botany found underwater. Sara is a local fiber and glass artist that has been shown globally. She was also the recipient of a juried award for a scholarship to UrbanGlass during the National Liberty Museum’s 2014 GLASS NOW Auction. "

https://libertymuseum.org/calendar-of-events/wednesday-night-market-eva-shelley-sara-bakken/

Deep Sea Reef 2, 2014

Additionally, you can see Sara's work at the opening of:

GROWTH AND FORM: GLASS AND SILK SCULPTURES · SARA BAKKEN

Pink Coral, 2014

Friday, March 27th from 6-8pm

at the University City Arts League  4226 Spruce St · Philadelphia, PA 19104

Artist's Statement:
Glass is a material that naturally gives reference to the biological world. At a molten liquid state, glass has the ability to expand, contract and move. Silk is a material that is delicate, yet tough, organic and resilient. By combining these materials through a process of accumulation, these objects begin to project ideas of growth, development and reproduction. Mysterious ecosystems filled with life forms of all different shapes, sizes and colors are a common inspiration for me. They carry many properties of beauty. The world beneath the water’s shore, visions of microscopic life and clusters of fungi in a forest are all important sources in my art making. My work represents a desire for the exotic and the unknown.

This is an exciting opportunity to see the work of a textile artist who pushes the boundary of how we think of textile forms!

First Friday Finds!

Going out in Philadelphia this Friday, March 6? Here are a few exhibitions to visit!

At Pentimenti Gallery- 5:00-8:30pm
145 S 2nd Street
Philadephia, PA 19106
Free Admission.

Work of Rob De Oude

Territory of Abstraction Exhibition
This Group Show  will feature the work of artists that share an interest in geometry, color, pattern, and repetition. Yet, despite the material and optical similarities each artist approaches their work with a distinct purpose and context, commenting on a variety of subjects such as architecture, space, psychology, and illusion. When put together their work showcases the expansive nature of contemporary abstract art, and the potential content of relatively simple forms.

Featuring the work of 
Steven Baris (Painting)
Rob De Oude (Painting)
Edgar Diehl (Painting)
Gabriele Evertz (Painting)
Kevin Finklea (Painting and Sculpture)
Enrico Gomez (Painting)
Brent Hallard (Painting)
Gilberto Hsiao (Painting)
Gracia Khouw (Painting)
Joanne Mattera (Painting)
Mel Prest (Painting)
Debra Ramsey (Works on Paper)

Mel Prest, 2008, Uyo, Gouache on Fabriano Paper

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At: Arch Enemy Arts- 6:00-10:00pm
109 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free Admission.

Work of Brian Mashburn

March Showcase
Featuring the works of:

work of Rebecca Adams

100Taur
Aaron Coleman
Alex Eckman-Lawn
Alex Garant
Alyssa Scott
Bethany Casperite
Black Ink Arts
Brian Mashburn
Cai Vail
Chris Paxson
Colleen Sidey
Costa Magarakis
Erik Flores
Frank Forte
Jason Snyder
Jeremy Burks
Jessica Ward
Jim & Lynn Lemyre
Joe Menna
Julianna Menna
Kathriel Brister
Matt Tisdale
Michal Brodka
Raul Guerra
NoseGo
Rebecca Adams
Richard Lindstrom
Stephen Koharian
Valency Genis
Zach Puchowicz

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At: Muse Gallery - 5:00-8:00pm
52 N. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free Admission

Diane Lachman
Portamento: shifting color
Portamento is a musical term that describes a continuous progression from one tone to another. Like a violinist who produces sounds that glide from pitch to pitch, she creates harmonious paintings by shifting colors from hue to hue. She applies oil paint onto birch panels in layers to create vibrant geometric abstractions.

Diane Lachman

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At: House Gallery 1816- 6:00pm-9:00pm
1816 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Free Admission

Justin Duerr

The Geometry of Time

Justin Duerrs work deals with life-forms, dualities and transcendent states. His intricate pen and ink scroll drawings are ongoing installments. There are currently 22 panels and spanning over 60 feet. If he should have forewarning and is able, he hopes to make a final scroll before his death which will connect to the first panel culminating in a huge cycloramic image of his experiences and thoughts.

“If I’m afforded enough time to work on it, I may be able to finish hundreds of feet of this work, and the story arc and characters should be able to prevent many actual real-world disasters in the future by subtle/strange influence. In the meantime, the discipline of the art-activity is creating and shaping me into someone fit to serve the forces I am delineating.“

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Here are just of the few amazing things going on around the city this Friday. Take some time and check them out!

Links to more information about goings on:

In Liquid Artists Displaying Around Philadelphia

EventBrite Links to Philadelphia Events this weekend

UWishUNu Philadelphia, Art for the month of March