Artist's Statement:
Dora Hsiung: Fiber Art

My work has often been called non-loom weaving. I prefer the name "fiber art", because all my works are always one of a kind. They are what I consider as fine art, nourished by a great tradition of craft. I use yarn like a palette of multi-colored paint.

As an artist, I want to express my own experiences and feelings through color, pattern and design. This technique, which I have been developing for about 30 years, allows me to explore new expressions from this oldest material used by mankind.

I was inspired by yarn wrappings in traditional crafts of China and other countries, where yarn has been used to cover many geometric shapes. Using a sturdy wood frame as armature, I developed the technique of using one strand of yarn at a time in different directions to build up three-dimensional effects. From several vantage points, people can view different surfaces to see a shifting play of colors and shapes. Sometimes I wrap geometric shapes individually and build them into larger assemblies. Many of the armatures are made from recycled materials.

My works have sometimes been described as "high tech", due to their unintentional resemblance to enlarged computer chips. I like to play the contrast of the soft and warm material like yarn with rigid geometric shapes and systematic process, in my continuous search for new and unexpected expressions.

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Dora Hsiung was born in Shanghai, China. She received a BFA from University of Illinois, and attended Graduate School at Boston University. She has exhibited throughout the United States and abroad. Her works range in size from miniature to monumental wall hangings. They are in private and corporate collections, including IBM, GTE and Cabot Corporation. She is a member of Depot Square Gallery, Weavers' Guild of Boston, Fiber Art Collectives and Handweavers Guild of America. Her husband is an architect, and they have 3 grown-up children.

If anyone is interested to see more of Dora Hsiung's work and visit her studio in Newton, please call 617-969-4630.

Email address: hsiungs@attbi.com

About The Gallery At First Parish

The Gallery At First Parish opened September 17, 2000.

Its purpose, as described by the founders:

The mission of The Gallery At First Parish is to add another dimension
to the spiritual fabric of our lives by exhibiting the work of visual artists
who seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The Gallery is intended to be a service to the parish, the artist and the wider community.
It is open to the public without charge 9 AM – 4 PM weekdays, and 9 AM – 12:30 PM Sundays.
Interested parties may also call the Church Office (781-893-7798) for other possible viewing times.

Gallery exhibits are listed in the First Parish Event Calendar.

Gallery Exhibits

Gallery Committee

Mary Jo Rines
Winky Merrill
Toni Junkin
Carol Hinckley
Karen MacDuffie
Betty Lou Marple
Wendy Wrean
Ellen Touart-Grob