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.

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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.
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