Listen to the Lichen Grow

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Artist: Sue Conner

Title: Listen to the Lichen Grow

Attribution: Listen to the Lichen Grow, 2022, Sue Conner

Year: 2022

Materials: Eco-dyed fabric, drift wood, fiber, found objects

Dimensions: 15x10.5x6

Image Statement: My desire to seek and maintain balance in life informs my creative process. I embrace my failed attempts, deriving more value from the process than from the final product itself. Recently I re-discovered my passion for working with fiber and textiles. The slow stitch process is meditative and restorative. Experimenting with ways to alter and re-purpose fabric awakened within me a certain childlike joy and this sense of renewal has been fundamental for preserving my life’s balance. My desire to seek and maintain balance in life informs my creative process where I recently re-discovered my passion for working with fiber and textiles. Utilizing hand stitching to combine pieces and embellish has been meditative and restorative while experimenting with ways to alter and re-purpose fabric awakened within me a certain childlike joy that is essential for preserving my life’s balance. The world has exploded into an era of continuous, cacophonous artificial noise. “Listen to the Lichen Grow” is a tribute to a time long ago when the silence of our natural environment was commonplace and appreciated. Today I choose to listen to these important voices, to discriminate between the man-made noise and the authentic natural sounds, and to not become complacent with the new norm. I will continue to find solace in the quiet of the natural world and create work that communicates this significant message. I refuse to give in and become complacent My hope for the future is to once again notice, listen to, and appreciate these important voices.