Once again, Christine Macchi has shared information about upcoming events and exhibits at
Maine Fiberarts in Topsham. In her words:
“Tools to Equip the Shaman for Night Travels,” an installation of work by Bowdoin artist Susan Mills, is on view at Maine Fiberarts’ gallery, 13 Main St. in Topsham. The public is invited to view the mysterious, sculptural work through Feb. 15.
A reception with the artist will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Maine Fiberarts. Refreshments, fiber art demonstrators and the kickoff for a weekend holiday show and sale of members’ work also will take place that evening.
Mills’ work delves into exploring worlds not readily apparent to the eye. Shamanic beings, flying carpets, spirit vessels and tools to access both inner and outer worlds are included in her installation. The artist creates work using felted wool, found books, woven twigs, applied gold leaf, and transformed mud and metal. Although the work is outwardly dark, themes are uplifting and speak to “drawing down the moon,” “retrieving lost voices” and “harvesting stars.” These are tools that shamans — age-old healers — and their assistants and apprentices, use to retrieve souls, transform energies, heal the illusion of separation and bring visible and invisible worlds together.
Mills will give a talk about her work 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the gallery. Snow date is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.
Of her work, Mills writes, “My art is inspired by nature, by the physical world, and by the world of spirit. It is my way of recording my inner journey and embodies my search for a new myth, a metaphor that pierces the illusion of separation, honoring and illuminating both the visible and the invisible realms. Healing the split between our inner and outer worlds, our bodies and souls, we heal both ourselves and our planet. We are all individuals, yet we are all connected. When one of us takes a journey, it affects us all. When people see my work, they are often moved to tell me their own stories — and we all become reconnected in the myth, in the oneness we all share.”
Mills works in mixed media, photography, fiber, theatrical set design and costuming. Her work has been shown in galleries and museums on the East Coast, in the Southwest and on the island of Bermuda. Currently the manager at Markings Gallery in Bath, she makes her home in Bowdoin and shares the land with one llama, two cats, and fellow artist, co-conspirator and beloved Rick Bonnett.
For details or for a visual preview of the exhibition, visit mainefiberarts.org or call 721-0678.
Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153 or email ahamlin@bangordailynews.com. Don’t forget to visit her blog at byhand.bangordailynews.com.
