CHRISTINE SAUER   Mixed Media artist

BIO

In her current work, Christine develops abstract and pictorial imagery drawn from her personal iconography and from her interests in nature. She uses an intuitive and improvisational approach to working with materials and image. Her fascination with stitching, either by hand or with a sewing machine, is an essential element in the creation of many of her pieces.

Christine has exhibited her art in solo and juried shows around the country. In 2010, her work was chosen for several juried exhibitions including “Metaphoric Fibers” at the Textile Center in Minneapolis and the 2010 National Small Art Quilt Works Exhibition in Groton, New York. Her work is also included in “Sum of the Parts”, an exhibition sponsored by the Surface Design Association. The show has been traveling to museums, universities and art centers since 2007. Christine’s art is in many private and public collections including City of New Orleans Percent for Art and Loyola University, New Orleans. She has earned several awards and grants.

Focusing her energies on renovating her 1890’s New Orleans home and fulfilling her role as head of the art department at a local private PreK-12 school, Christine took a hiatus from exhibiting her work in the late 1990’s. During this time she began her explorations of fiber techniques, taking classes and workshops around the country. In 2010 she “rewired” from teaching to pursue her studio practice full time. She currently lives and works in New Orleans, Louisiana. Christine grew up in New York State and attended SUNY Potsdam College of Arts and Science where she earned a B.A. with a Concentration in Sculpture in 1980. She moved to Louisiana to attend the University of New Orleans where she was awarded a Teaching Assistantship, earning an M.F.A. in Painting in 1984.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In her current work, Christine develops abstract and pictorial imagery drawn from her personal iconography and from her interests in nature. Christine’s intuitive and improvisational approach to working with image and materials connects her to the creative spirit and energy of children’s art which she found inspiring during her many years as an art educator. She is attracted to the element of surprise and serendipity that comes from working this way. It has led her to create a diverse body of work although there are several reoccurring themes; figures, geometric and organic structures, inspirations from nature. They provide an armature for her quirky and imaginative explorations in texture, pattern, color and form.

Christine’s fascination with stitching, either by hand or with a sewing machine, is an essential element in the creation of many of her mixed media pieces. Stitching in the form of embroidery, knitting or crochet, is for her, a form of mark making or drawing process with thread, as well as a way to create structure. The repetition of these techniques has a meditative quality that is appealing.

Combining multiple processes and materials enables Christine the freedom to construct inventive textured surfaces and forms. Rather than trying to elicit specific meanings about her work, she is more interested in what the sense of it is. Through the tactile quality and human scale of her art she evokes a physical and personal connection between the viewer and the object.