Saint Xavier University will host an art exhibit featuring the work of Chris Motley from Thurs., Aug. 23 to Tues., Sept. 18. The exhibit, titled “Human Dimensions in Fiber,” will be on display in the SXU Gallery, located in the Warde Academic Center at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. The exhibit also includes an artist’s lecture and reception at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 5 in the Gallery.
After a 30-year career as a lawyer, Motley began her journey into the art world by knitting three-dimensional creations by hand. Many of her pieces portray human body parts, such as hands, arms, and faces.
"I learned knitting from my mother when I was a child of 10 or 11, and [it] was a natural medium for me since it's what I knew," she said. "My work seems to be derived in some respect from words, odd as that sounds. Words were a big part of my career, and thus I'm realizing that presenting words pictorially is part of what my work does."
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Motley has participated in juried shows throughout the United States, including Metaphoric Fibers at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, Minn., Fantastic Fibers in 2010 and 2011 at the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, Ky., National Fiber Directions 2011 in Wichita, Kan., the Handweaver’s Guild of America Small Expressions 2011 show and Form & Fiber; A Contemporary Twist on Fiber Art at the Mystic Art Center’s show in Mystic, Conn.
The SXU Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, please contact the Gallery at (773) 298-3081.
