Biography of a Suburban House 31 x 24" 2005

The books of Christine Williams are made from silk organza with silk and metalic thread and appliqued antique fabric textiles, brazilian cherry binding with silk buttonhole thread, and a plexi-glass stand for viewing.

The Biography of a Surburban House is a pictorial view showing the evolution of a suburban house from very small to very large interpreted in textile as a book.

From her artist statement:

I find my inspiration in three dimensional illusion, the grandeur of geometry, and things as diverse as Byzantine tile patterns, botanical drawings, 3-D shapes, American culture and society.  I use antique and vintage Japanese Obi or Kimono pieces for their  colors, weaves, and patterns.   The former lives of these antique fabrics as art and clothing are re born into new life to be re appreciated in a new way.    Renewal and re-cycling of what often is discarded teaches me many lessons especially that beauty often comes from remaking something with a previous life and history. These  re-used fabrics are appliqued to Chinese silk organza of various colors.  The applique begins as a sketch which moves to a drawing from which patterns are made, pieces cut, interfaced if necessary, ironed through several steps, basted by hand and finally appliqued to the organza.  This is a process of working and reworking each step.

$4000