Articulation Textile Group

Poppies assembled. Amanda Onchulenko writes... "Rain"  In 1990 I remember being on a city bus in Sheffield, England, with my grandmother en route to visit another relative when I asked why there were gaps in the rows of terrace houses? My grandmother casually responded, "They were bombed in't war Dook". One such home belonged to Nan's friend Mabel across the street, who, on hearing the air raid sirens sounding yet again, refused to join her family and neighbours. Instead, she took a poorly timed gamble to take cover under her own kitchen table. A babies silver cup. Yesterday while photographing my final piece, "Rain", for Articulation's upcoming show "WAR: A Personal Response", the enormity of those young mothers' emotions rained down on me. Having spent the last couple of weeks hand sewing poppies in silk, tulle, polyester, and even white ticking. Red, for first aid and remembrance, the white ticking r

Waskesiu Twilight Canadian fibre arts group Articulation spent a pleasant week together in Northern Saskatchewan in August amongst the lovely views of Elk Ridge Resort and surrounds. Manitobans in the group could have mistaken Waskesiu National Park for Clear Lake but no matter where in Canada we go I can confidently say that the landscape, the weather and the company are always inspiring.      During the visit, beyond our annual general meeting, Lesley led our preparations for Articulation's upcoming show 'WAR: A Personal Response' to be shown at the Sidney Museum Oct 16-Nov 29. See the poster in the previous post. Traditional Toe Shot  Articulation members are part of a population blessed by location and circumstance who have not personally experienced war in their lifetimes to date. Our inquiries into family histories within this topic, personally and collectively, set us on a journey of discovery. It was here that we unearthed tales of courage and sacrif

Articulation is joining the Sidney Museum in commemorating the 100 year anniversary when the Armistice was signed ending World War I in Europe.  Six Articulation members will each install a body of work exploring their personal war experiences. The Sidney Museum will have many artefacts on display illustrating Canada's involvement in past wars up to today's UN Peace Keepers. The exhibition is in the Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Avenue, Sidney BC V8L 1X5.  It opens October 16th and closes November 29, 2018. Artist-led tours are available. Please call Alyssa, Assitant Director, at 250 655 6355 to book a group tour. Articulation visits the war memorial in Weyburn Saskatchewan. Unlike other projects, the individual WAR bodies of work did not come out of a specific annual Study Session. Over the past few years, Articulation members have visited war-related museums and memorial sites whenever they have been together to do research. Each Articulation member

'In 1875 a group of Icelandic immigrants who had arrived in [Canada] moved to the west shore of Lake Manitoba where they had been granted a reserve of land by the Canadian Government...The immigrants formed their own administration based on a centuries-long tradition of democratic government...The Republic of New Iceland was created.' The Rural Municipality of Gimli was established in 1887. 'The early immigrants came full of hope for a new life of opportunities and settled the land made available through homestead rights. The free offer of a 1/4 section (64 acres) to common people, most of whom had never owned land was a major attraction. But there were many difficulties - dense bush, flies, field stones and harsh winters which had to be endured.' Quotes from various historic markers. The Icelanders brought their pagan religion with them and found many parallels and an affinity with the First Nations peoples' beliefs. This Unitarian church, bui

Our first stop out of Winnipeg was to see Icelandic horses. About 17 years ago two Arnason brothers decided to fulfill their father's dream to bring Icelandic horses to Canada. The catch was once a horse leaves Iceland it is never allowed to return so as to maintain the pure bloodline.The brothers filled a plane with 87 horses and settled them on a specially built farm where they have flourished in the Canadian prairie climate.To read in more detail about the Arnason's Icelandic horse story  click here. The farm manager, Sharon, our guide, has just released these horses from a coral out to a clover pasture. She can't leave them out there for too long or for too often because the clover is like candy for them. Icelandic horses are known to thrive in harsh conditions, forage well for their own food, and grow a very thick coat in winter while living outside. Sharon said they puff up like teddy bears as soon as the weather turns cold. They are the horse breed w

Next stop in downtown Winnipeg was Mandy's fabulous studio. After a tour we settled down to eat lunches we had picked up at some unique eateries around the corner. Donna and Wendy walk on the rooftop to get a bird's eye view of central Winnipeg. One could do a historical study of just Winnipeg's walls. Just needs a 'bird on the wire' Wendy, Mandy, Donna descending.

Articulation's annual study session was in Manitoba this year. It began in Winnipeg where we all gathered, flying and driving in from across Western Canada. Our first stop was in downtown Winnipeg at the North Forge Fabrication Lab. Multi-media artist Erika Lincoln was our tour guide. If you go to her website  Erika Lincoln - Lincoln Lab  you will see some of the work she has produced with the type of equipment in North Forge. North forge is part of "innovation alley" a two block section of Adelaide Street in the Exchange District that was instrumental in earning a large grant from the federal government recently. Erika showing us the raw materials used for laser printing. L.- R: Erika Lincoln, Lesley turner, Ingrid Lincoln, Leann Clifford Plastics for laser printing.