Pandemic Projects by Pamela Hunt Lee
March 31, 2023
If you are a creative, how often do you spend time truly thinking about what influences your work? Lately, I have spent a great deal of time alone; no schedule, no commitments, and removed from my studio. I have always known that nature is my muse, but I’ve also realized that the everyday plays a significant role in getting my creative juices flowing. It’s not solely what I do and see, but current events and interactions with everything around me. For instance, I recently walked past a hillside dotted with towering trees which were dropping their seed pods, and noticed a small bit of paper trash wedged between two pods creating a wave of movement. It was the inspiration for a composition; the movement, texture, nature. and a current commentary about the effects humans have on the environment. This dovetails perfectly with my current work which focuses on reusing, repurposing, and upcycling.
Pamela Hunt Lee, 14 Carrot, 2023. Wrapped, coiled, basket woven, and collaged canvas, packing paper, silk yarn, wool yarn, discarded fabric samples, plastic carrot bags, plastic mesh fruit bags, plastic kcup parts, and acrylic pigments, 12 x 36 x 3.5 inches. Photo by the artist.
Pamela Hunt Lee, 14 Carrot (detail), 2023. Wrapped, coiled, basket woven, and collaged canvas, packing paper, silk yarn, wool yarn, discarded fabric samples, plastic carrot bags, plastic mesh fruit bags, plastic kcup parts, and acrylic pigments, 12 x 36 x 3.5 inches. Photo by the artist.
When Covid-19 hit, and lockdown ensued, I found myself ordering items online rather than venturing out in the world. Unusual packing materials began to arrive in my studio: papers, plastics, and cardboard in shapes and textures I had not seen previously. Not only was I inspired by their uniqueness, I was shocked by the amount of trash I was creating. Inspired to save and utilize the packing materials in my work, I explored different uses of items destined for the landfill.. As it happens with many creatives, one thing led to another, and I now combine all types of packing materials (produce bags, discarded fabric samples, dryer lint, shopping bags) with painting, collage, and fiber techniques. I paint, stitch, coil, weave, and knot to create works that are focused on line, movement, texture and color as well as making a statement about sustainability, trash, recycling, and upcycling.
Pamela Hunt Lee, Dreams and Memories, 2022. Wrapped and coiled plastic grocery bags, plastic mesh produce bags, lint, cotton, k cup parts, bird netting, and acrylic pigment, and mounted on stretched canvas, 48 x 48 x 4 inches. Photo by the artist.
What led me to this particular place in my creativity? Prior to Covid-19, I was working with heavily applied acrylic pigment on stretched canvas so I could cut and score through layers of paint to create designs I call Nature’s Hieroglyphics. I then added elements such as raffia, leaves, and feathers to push the composition further in order to heighten and enrich the surface designI used repetitive patterns found in nature like spirals, meanders, waves, and cracks with embedded objects to encourage the viewer to see nature.
Pamela Hunt Lee, Turkey In The Straw II, 2019. Painted, knotted, and collaged canvas, discarded fabric samples of leather, turkey feathers, raffia, acrylic pigments, and graphite, 12 x 36 x 4 inches. Photo by the artist.
When packing materials began to collect in my studio, nature and humanity’s impact on nature collided. I am particularly interested in exploring how we can repurpose these materials to create something new and beautiful—combining painting techniques with discarded items, then reworked with fiber techniques.
Pamela Hunt Lee, Torn Fabric of Society, 2022. Coiled, stitched, knotted recycled packing paper, plastic mesh produce bags, raffia, cotton, and acrylic pigment, and mounted on stretched canvas, 40 x 12 x 3 inches. Photo by the artist.
I find great value and satisfaction in recycling discarded items into works of art. In a world where waste is a growing concern, I believe it is important for artists to use their creativity and skills to repurpose materials that would otherwise be discarded. By doing so, we not only create beautiful and unique art, but we raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste and preserving our environment. Through my art I hope people will see the importance of sustainability and be encouraged to think more critically about their consumption habits and trash generated.
–Pamela Lee is a fifty year professional artist who has worked with fibers, painting, jewelry design. She has spent the past 3 years working with and exploring recycling, upcycling used and discarded materials into works of art using combinations of fiber and painting techniques presented in contemporary compositions.
Pamela Hunt Lee in the studio.
