KRISTY KUN

3 May 20203 May 2020 Maria Rosaria Roseo

Kún forged her artistic mettle apprenticing as a woodworker and upholsterer during her early twenties. Dedicating thirteen years to building mortise and tenon constructed furniture from reclaimed wood, her respect for materials and craftsmanship in their reverential structure, is planted deep.

Growing up in the suburban Midwest, opportunities to explore craft and industrial arts were scarce. Kristy became increasingly interested fine craftsmanship in wood during college, and withdrew from university classes in construction engineering to pursue a study with master woodworkers on the West Coast.

“My life as a craftsman began in a woodshop, transforming reclaimed and historic wood into finely crafted furniture. The selection and processing of the wood, joinery, construction and finishing were a fulfilling pursuit for many years. The skills I developed during this period are reflected in obvious ways in my current work, e.g. handcrafted frames, upholstery methods used in mounting felt, and in some less obvious ways… My process for joining wool fibers and making dry connections before felting is uniquely my own technique, developed and inspired by the joinery used in the furniture I built.”

Ten years ago Kristy began the transition from wood to wool. The change in materials fostered a change in lifestyle; A quieter environment with materials that require more gentle and personal attention, rather than tools and industrial equipment. “I’ve taken this time to work slowly through my own ideas, learn from others, and develop a sustainable practice of my own in felt making.”

Source: https://www.kristykun.com/

Photos has been taken from the artist’s website and are covered by copyright

“Hands In Water”, 2018, 33x17x4 inch, a single piece of handmade felt, merino wool, silk and cotton, copyright Kristy Kun

“Celestial Convergence”, 2018, 33x47x2.5inch, merino wool, silk and flax, copyright Kristi Kun

“Celestial Convergence” Detail, 2018, 33x47x2.5inch, merino wool, silk and flax, copyright Kristi Kun

“Tenacities and Opulent Fibers”, 2017, 45″ x 24″ x 2″, steel wire- warped, woven, and felted into wool. encaustic finish, handmade frame of local maple with acrylic backing, copyright Kristy Kun

“Wind and Lots of Sand”, 2016, 48x26x3.5 inch, merino wool, Navajo churro wool, maple frame, copyright Kristy Kun

“Wind and Lots of Sand-detail”, 2016, 48x26x3.5 inch, merino wool, Navajo churro wool, maple frame, copyright Kristy Kun

“Mum-Vember at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens”, 2017, sizes vary, a special collection in celebration of the Chrysanthemum, copyright Kristy Kun

“Keratin Defenses”, 2017, merino wool, 24x22x6inch, copyright Kristy Kun

“Rising Sand”, 2018, 26x46x4inch, a single piece of handmade felt. Merino wool, silk, cotton, copyright Kristy Kun

“Ivory Bloom 11”, 2018, merino wool mounted and framed with clear acrylic, 12x12x4, copyright Kristy Kun

“Fondness and Intuition”, 2018, handmade felt of merino wool, 57x38x3inch, copyright Kristy Kun

Maria Rosaria Roseo

English version Dopo una laurea in giurisprudenza e un’esperienza come coautrice di testi giuridici, ho scelto di dedicarmi all’attività di famiglia, che mi ha permesso di conciliare gli impegni lavorativi con quelli familiari di mamma. Nel 2013, per caso, ho conosciuto il quilting frequentando un corso. La passione per l’arte, soprattutto l’arte contemporanea, mi ha avvicinato sempre di più al settore dell’arte tessile che negli anni è diventata una vera e propria passione. Oggi dedico con entusiasmo parte del mio tempo al progetto di Emanuela D’Amico: ArteMorbida, grazie al quale, posso unire il piacere della scrittura al desiderio di contribuire, insieme a preziose collaborazioni, alla diffusione della conoscenza delle arti tessili e di raccontarne passato e presente attraverso gli occhi di alcuni dei più noti artisti tessili del panorama italiano e internazionale.