karen searle: inspired by the feminine impulse to nurture

Fiber artist and author Karen Searle’s wire sculptures create lines, movements and shadows that “suggest the energy of a human presence.” Searle knits and crochets a variety of materials including wire, flax paper and linen, addressing the concept of women’s work.

How My Mother Dressed Me, detail, copper wire, hand knitting, dresses 6″ high

Flax Vessel, knitted and crocheted Japanese flax paper, linen; 36″x16″

Body Bag III, tote bag, knit linen, flax fiber and rope, 18″ high

She has even knitted together pieces of birch bark as a metaphor for women’s work and women’s lives – all of which the artist suggests involve mending and piecing together, scavenging and adorning.

Essence: Long Dress, life-sized wire sculpture and shadow

Bark Quilt, birch bark, rayon thread, glass beads  36″ x 60″

“My imagery is inspired by womens’ lives and womens’ bodies, and by the feminine impulse to nurture.” Karen Searle

Searle, who has an MFA from Minneapolis College of Art & Design, teaches and exhibits across the country and abroad and is the author of Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists.