The contemporary tapestry scene in St. Louis, Missouri has been greatly enriched by the recent return of Deann Rubin to her native environs. After completing her BFA in Design at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, she lived here for several years. For part of that time she served as a full-time apprentice to master craftsperson and tapestry weaver, Muriel Nezhnie. During the month of September 2009, fourteen of her tapestries were on view in her one-person exhibit. “FACE IT” is a smashing exhibit of contemporary tapestry ranging from the seemingly straightforward (“Sweet Shoppe”) to the enigmatic (“Caught in their Net”). Some are whimsical and some serious, but all include human (or near-human) imagery showing one or more faces or partial faces.

below: Deann Rubin, Birkah, 21.25 x 6.75", 2009, cotton, wool, silk, other. Photo by Michael H. Rubin.

below: Deann Rubin, Camouflage/Moth Mother, 21.25 x 6.75", 2009, cotton, wool, silk, metallic. Photo by Michael H. Rubin.

Within the intimate confines of the Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, located on the West campus of Tucson’s Pima Community College, director David Andrés curated a small but intriguing exhibit juxtaposing cultures and mediums simultaneously – DISTILLED MATTER: Conte, Oil, Enamel, Thread. Included in the exhibit were the simple, yet enigmatic small format tapestries woven by Australian Kay Lawrence. My visit occurred on the day the artists gave gallery talks about their exhibited works. This review focuses on Lawrence’s tapestries.

below: Kay Lawrence, Rust series, each 18 x 15”, 2001, cotton, wool, linen

below: Kay Lawrence with two tapestries from Lineage Tea Towel series

below: Kay Lawrence, Rust series, Cup, 18” x 15”, 2001, cotton, wool, linen

below: Kay Lawrence, Lineage Tea Towel, each approx 12” x 15”, 2009, cotton, wool, linen

below: Kay Lawrence, Lineage Tea Towel, each approx 12” x 15”, 2009, cotton, wool, linen

below: Kay Lawrence, Lineage Tea Towel, each approx 12” x 15”, 2009, cotton, wool, linen

Index of Content