Allison Cooke Brown 2001, Sculpture
As a fiber artist, my work ranges from large-scale sculpture to small hand-held book-like structures. What interests me most is the domestic world, using materials like vintage linens or window screen in activities such as sewing or knitting that are my legacy of being female, and in subject matter that can get as personal as the expectations of behavior for girls and women. I create apparel or structures that can allude to certain states of mind, and which usually contain dualities such as the body¡¯s exterior/interior relationships, dark/light colors, scratchy/soft materials, and my restrained/excitable nature.

In this current work I have narrowed down the focus to specific dichotomies, seeking to identify the schisms within me as well as women in our culture. As a passionate woman who was brought up in a Calvinistic family, this is rich territory. Examples of my current work include large wall-hunt fiber pieces that concern personal dualities. Works in progress include pressing found red silk women¡¯s blouses and men¡¯s white Oxford shirts in two individual frames that are hung side-by-side and knitting a dress with wire that is half traditionally and densely knit, with the other half full of holes and lacy stitches. These pieces are visual dichotomies that describe aspects of the polarities within me.