Vicki Bolen 

Artist Statement

My woven monotypes are inspired by my interest in paper and textiles.

For many years, I have practiced the Japanese tradition of paper folding, and it made me aware of the beauty and cultural significance of paper. I

am intrigued by the monotype medium because it allows me to explore color and create my own designs. My interest in textiles does not pertain

to the actual fabric, but its applications of weaving, stitching and quilting.

I thus enjoy the idea of multiple monotypes woven and stitched together to  

create a new piece of art. My intention is to create a design that is simple

and complex enough to keep the viewer captivated.

My images are usually not fully planned. It is gratifying to discover the image

as it reveals itself in the weaving. To add complexity of design, I start my  

monotypes with chine collé. In printmaking, chine collé is a collage technique

in which thinner Japanese papers are fused to a thicker European paper 

using glue and the pressure from the printing press. I then build my images

with thin layers of transparent ink, gradually allowing the image to emerge. I

limit myself to a selected color palette and number of designs for a series of 

monotypes.  Although most weavings are created from monotypes of the

same series, sometimes two pieces with very different color schemes and

designs become the perfect match. In a sense, my woven monotypes are 

created through controlled randomness, part plan and part chance.

Essentially, my work is about transformation and change. The various steps

from the blank piece of paper to the final weaving satisfy my intent to create

something unexpected. My intention is not only to share the joy I experience

 when making art, but to create a beautiful object that seemingly continues to

shift in front of the viewer’s eye. 

Biography

Date and Place of Birth: 1956, Sacramento, California

Education:

1976, Bachelor of Art - Interior Design, University of California, Sacramento, Ca.

1992, Printmaking workshop, Portland School of Arts and Crafts, Or.

1998, Printmaking workshop, Ingram, TX.

Exhibitions:

2008, Made in New Mexico, Proyecto Ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina

        Made in New Mexico, Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton, U.K.

2007, Tangible Fragments, solo exhibition, New Grounds Gallery, Albuquerque, NM

2006-2007, Featured Artist, Mariposa Gallery, Albuquerque, NM

2005, Pattern on Pattern, solo exhibition, New Grounds Gallery, Albuquerque, NM  

2004, Group exhibition, Albuquerque Country Club, NM.

2004 and 2005 NM Arts & Crafts Festival, juried, Albuquerque, NM

Gallery representation:

Patrician Design, Albuquerque, NM.

New Grounds Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.

Mariposa Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.

Major Collections:

Proyecto Ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton, U.K.

Albuquerque Museum

Museo de la Estampa, Mexico City

Western University, Silver City, NM

UNM Law School, Albuquerque, NM

UNM Hospital, Albuquerque, NM

Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

University of Texas at Austin

University of North Carolina at Fayetteville