Portfolio – Collaborations

Kusari-doi: Resonance of Rain

A cross-country collaboration involving Lyn Christiansen from Massachusetts and Barbara J. Walker from Oregon created a site-specific installation for a historic setting, the Sukodo, Iga Ueno, Japan. The melding of three disparate fiber techniques—ply-splitting, kumihimo (Japanese braiding), and felting—culminated in three rain chains, each with a different aesthetic: the challenge of a lifetime. Give and take, ups and downs, anticipation and excitement during eighteen months of work pushed our creativity beyond our perceived limits.

Water trickling down
Ethereal in its peace
Immerses the mind
Haiku by Barbara J. Walker

Ply-split vessels, ‘water’ and ‘chain’ interlacements, sound, and wet felted ‘stones’ comprise three rain chains.
Dimensions average 10’ H x 3” to 6” D. Felted stone bases average 12” L x 12” W

Christiansen: ‘Water’
Narrow-band interlacements made on Japanese braiding stands, remote controlled rain sound WAV files
Artist-dyed silk, rayon, paper, and specialty yarns, wire, ribbon, monofilament, embedded speakers

Walker: Vessels
Ply-splitting, kumihimo, wet felting
Artist-made 4-ply linen and cotton cords, wool fleece

Exhibition lighting - Image ©Duncan Neilson
Exhibition lighting
Image ©Duncan Neilson
Installation complete - Image ©Barbara J. Walker
Installation complete
Image ©Barbara J. Walker
In-studio detail - Image ©Lyn Christiansen

In-studio detail
Image ©Lyn Christiansen

Exhibition detail image - ©Barbara J. Walker
Exhibition detail image - ©Barbara J. Walker

Exhibition detail images
©Barbara J. Walker

Exhibition detail image - ©Barbara J. Walker
Collaborating with Alice Schlein, of Greenville, SC, over several years was one of the most rewarding experiences in my creative life. As weavers and fiber artists, Alice and I have varied interests. Our weaving paths are quite different, but our mutual love of books brought our talents together.

First came Alice’s cloth and book. Then I worked to capture the essence of her cloth to design cords and create the book’s ply-split band. The book structure determined whether I created the band and sent it to Alice, or Alice’s book came to me to attach cords and ply-split the band in situ.

Aristotle’s words describe our books best: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

REFOLIATION By Barbara J. Walker - Images ©Barbara J. Walker
REFOLIATION By Barbara J. Walker - Images ©Barbara J. Walker

REFOLIATION

6.25” H x 6” W x 1.25” D
Handwoven jacquard cover, longstitch binding by Alice Schlein
Cotton, waxed linen, acid-free paper

Ply-split passementerie band, Turk’s head knot by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton cords
$400
Images ©Barbara J. Walker

REFOLIATION By Barbara J. Walker - Images ©Barbara J. Walker
POLARITY - Images ©Barbara J. Walker
POLARITY - Images ©Barbara J. Walker

POLARITY

9” H x 6.5” W x 3” D each
Handwoven dobby cloth covers, longstitch bindings by Alice Schlein
Cotton, hemp, waxed linen, acid-free paper

Ply-split band by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton cords, washers
$1200
Images ©Barbara J. Walker

POLARITY - Images ©Barbara J. Walker
YETTA’S LACE - Images ©Barbara J. Walker
YETTA’S LACE - Images ©Barbara J. Walker

YETTA’S LACE

9.75” H x 6.75” W x 1.5”D
Handwoven jacquard cover, longstitch binding by Alice Schlein
Cotton, hemp, waxed linen, acid-free paper

Ply-split passementerie band, Turk’s head knot by Barbara J. Walker
Artist-made 4-ply cotton and viscose cords
$425
Images ©Barbara J. Walker

YETTA’S LACE - Images ©Barbara J. Walker

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Fiber art pieces by Barbara J. Walker are available for purchase during exhibitions and through this website.