I must begin my artist statement with a quote from William Morris (The father of the Arts and Crafts Movement).

“If we do not study the ancient work directly and learn to understand it, we shall find ourselves influenced by the feeble work all around us, and shall be copying the better work through the copyists and without understanding it, which will by no means bring about intelligent art. Let us therefore study it wisely, be taught by it, kindled by it; all the while determining not to imitate or repeat it; to have either no art at all, or an art which we have made our own.”
When creating Shibori, I use the traditional techniques that I have studied and come to understand. The true beauty of Shibori lies in the time that it takes and each end result. I can easily submerge myself into the complete, creative processes of Shibori where the world of mass production pressures are easily forgotten. Through using the ancient Shibori techniques, not only have I acquired the skills but the patience to inevitably create an “art I have made my own.”

Odell Plantin is a New York based designer. Her focus is in the Japanese art of Shibori. For more information please go to http://www.silkandshibori.com/

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