Thursday, August 3, 2023

NS Folk Art Festival

I 'll be there.

With about 25 rugs.

One of my favourite art shows.

It's my 15th year...give or take.

Would be cool to have a rug hooker be the cover artist one year.

It's never happened for the history of the festival.

Fingers crossed one year it will happen.

xox

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

A week work/art retreat on Brier Island

So excited to do a little work/art retreat on Brier Island at the end of August.

I'm going to garden...clear trails...think...hook...and be by the Bay of Fundy.

Soooooooooo excited.

https://www.hammerandsky.com/

Monday, June 12, 2023

From Peter Estey Fine Art

https://www.peteresteyfineart.com/contemporary-and-vintage-textiles-from-canada

The Other Sign
Hooked rug
2018
17.5” x 23"

$650

This work by Laura Kenney is a reimagining of the sign Maud Lewis painted of the visiting hours for the “Poor Farm”, or the Alms House, an institution where people without means were sent by the authorities. The Poor Farm was located next to her house and was where her husband Everett Lewis worked as a night watchman. This particular sign was lesser known as it rotted away, unlike the “Paintings for Sale” sign that Maud Lewis is well known for.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Peter Estey Fine Art is pleased to present a selection of textile-based artworks by contemporary Canadian and Inuit artists and vintage hooked rugs. Included are works by Anna Torma, Heather Goodchild, Laura Kenney, Alea Drain, Mark DeLong, Marjorie Aguluvak, as well as a selection of hooked rugs and wall hangings by unknown artists.

https://www.peteresteyfineart.com/contemporary-and-vintage-textiles-from-canada

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Judy..letting her inner cow girl out.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Halifax Examiner

I was ranting the other day on Twitter.

Any who...Suzanne Rent from the Halifax Examiner got in touch with me to ask if she could use the image of my Maud rug and asked if had some thoughts about how the province could help artists...and boy did I.

https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file/what-maud-lewis-life-can-teach-us-about-how-to-appreciate-compensate-artists-of-today/

Friday, March 31, 2023

Judy at Acadia University Art Gallery

Exhibitions

Laura Kenney: Judy - Valley Edition

February 15 — April 6, 2023

Acadia University Art Gallery invites you to the new exhibit “JUDY: Valley Edition”, by artist Laura Kenney, which focuses on three main themes: feminism, environmentalism and Nova Scotia through the art of Rug Hooking. The 40 rugs hung on the gallery walls depict an adventurous, courageous and outspoken character called Judy. This character is always seen with fiery red hair tied up in a bun, a signature black dress indicating readiness for a funeral at a moments notice, and stellar red boots with attitude to stomp change everywhere she goes.

Artist, Laura Kenney, invites viewers into the realm of Judy which explores topics that are familiar to ours in the real world. Artist Laura Kenney uses Judy as an alter ego or superhero-like figure to bring awareness to topics such as environmentalism and feminism. She is able to work through frustrations and anxieties through Judy, on issues revolving around climate change and women feeling invisible— especially mothers. Judy echoes the history of pro-active feminists that want to make a change and aren’t afraid to shake things up.

The art of rug hooking has its own power and message to the artist. Hooking has been widely used by women throughout history to express their feelings and the environment around them, however, women would in turn lose their voice through the introduction of rug hooking patterns. These patterns were widely repeated throughout many households and thus in turn led to creative restrictions and or limitations placed upon women according to Kenney. This is something that she wants to change in the hooking community. Kenney’s vision is to bring back the endless possibilities that rug hooking can lend to.

Curated by: Dr Laurie Dalton