(2nd Place – Textile/Fabric Design)
Title of Art Piece: Bonding
Category: Textile/Fiber Design
Student/Artist’s Name: Lindsey Barbee
School: Palmer High School
Grade: 11th
Artist Statement: My batik entitled “Bonding” is a reflection on the third stage of love by Deepak Chopra, “Communion”. Communion states that in order to move on with the relationship you must complete this stage, you must become one another, sharing of spirit, soul to soul. You must give up your ego and completely become the other being. With the symbolism of the mermaid, I tried to convey the blending of ocean and woman. In one of the original folklore tail of the mermaid, a woman curious of the water, one day fell in and eventually evolved into half fish half woman. I wanted to express the hardships and beauty of communion in my piece.
I chose to use the dye and batik materials to create a vibrant dramatic piece. The beauty of communion is a hard yet rewarding stage in relationships; it is the ultimate sacrifice for the one you love. I wanted to show this molding of ocean and woman in a fun provocative way.
