Phosphor bronze; Bobbin lace, made by hand. My wall-mounted sculpture “Grandest French Knot” embodies the interplay of traditional fiber techniques with metal. Using 24 strands of twisted phosphor bronze wire, I created a square of bobbin lace to form the foundation, then played with the long wire ends to embellish the surface of the lace. The strands and lace were sewn together with wire to establish the 3-dimensional form, evoking an embroiderer’s knot. The wire ends were welded and polished.
“Ephemeral” (explores the transient nature of basketry)
31
22
6.5
Fred Aron Photography
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H: 31" | W: 22" | D: 6.5"
Photo by Fred Aron Photography
Barbara M Berk
Foster City, CA
I create abstract sculptures that embody the interplay of traditional fiber techniques with metal. Drawing on the sewing I loved as a girl and the metalsmithing skills I learned as an adult, I make bobbin lace by hand with stainless steel and phosphor bronze wire. I then curve, loop, twist, interweave, layer, sew, embroider, filigree, weld and polish my flat lace fabric into 3-dimensional forms. I play with geometry, density and texture, probing the limits of scale, volume and structural integrity. Positive and negative space – both the openings that reveal the lace pattern and voids in the form itself – create and mask transparency. Light reflections and shadows define and enhance form.
