Filament

An exhibition by Calandra Cooper and Keith D. Buswell

Dec 13, 2024 – Feb 5, 2025

Reception: Dec 12, 5-7pm

This Fred Simon Gallery exhibition features the works of Calandra Cooper, Omaha, and Keith D. Buswell, Lincoln. In this exhibition, we examine facets of filaments — the threads that tie us together, and literally, the beauty of natural dye on fiber.

Calandra Cooper is dedicated to sharing the potential and pushing the boundaries of natural dyeing as a contemporary art form. Her process leads to a transformation of simple surfaces to rich, textured fiber-centric works of art. Cooper explores techniques and creative possibilities through mud dyeing and natural dyes on cloth, textile and paper. By incorporating mud from Nebraska’s Missouri River along with other natural dyes, the aim is to highlight the versatility and beauty of these organic processes.

Buswell’s work uses the imagery of tress, which act as a symbolic language for us to see how connected we are. By using different types of trees around the community in Lincoln and locations meaningful to him, Buswell is portraying communities living together. This unity shows the need for different members of the community, such as farmers, teachers, and artists just as much as trees need a forest. The threads that connect us may not be as visible as my work prescribes, but they are there; a continuous interconnection to one another.

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The reception is December 12th, from 5-7pm. Reception is free and open to the public.

We will post a video with the artist on our YouTube channel. Follow the Nebraska Arts Council on Facebook for updates: NAC Facebook Link