Joanna Staniszkis: Silk City

Centre A, Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art Vancouver BC – Nov 4-Dec 9

Joanna Staniszkis, View of studio with work in progress, Preparations for ‘Silk City’ Exhibit (2006) [Centre A, Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art Asian Art, Vancouver BC, Nov 4-Dec 9]

With the support of the Vancouver Foundation and exhibition patron Anndraya Luui, Centre A presents Silk City, an exhibition by Vancouver textile artist Joanna Staniszkis.

Joanna Staniszkis, Wild Silk Cocoons (2006), metal structures covered with silk noil, latex medium, ink [Centre A, Vancouver BC, Nov 4-Dec 9]

Featuring installations, sculptures and multimedia works, Silk City continues her ongoing investigation into the history, ecology and aesthetic potential of silk. Staniszkis engages with her material at every stage. She raises the silk worms, grows mulberry trees to feed them and watches them spin their tightly woven cocoons.

An elaborate juxtaposition of giant cocoons, architectural models and live silk worms animates the cathedral-like venue and creates a complex dialogue between Vancouver’s past and present. The contemporary urban geography of the rapidly-developing and changing city acts as a metaphor for personal growth.

The installation evokes Vancouver’s history as a port for ships arriving from Asia laden with raw silk. Historically, the valuable cargo would be loaded onto high priority “Silk Trains” and rushed across the country (past the current site of Centre A) to destinations in Eastern Canada.

Joanna Staniszkis, Silk Screens 5 elements (2006), 5 elements 10' x 10' each, silk cocoons on stainless steel heedles, plastic ties [Centre A, Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art Asian Art, Vancouver BC, Nov 4-Dec 9]

Joanna Staniszkis is a Professor Emerita of the Landscape Architecture Program, University of British Columbia. The recipient of many awards, she is recognized internationally for her work in textiles. She is especially well known for large-scale architectural commissions on display at prominent buildings around the world. Since the late 1960s, Staniszkis has worked with a wide variety of natural fibres and dyes, often including cross-cultural references.

Mia Johnson 

www.centrea.org