An exhibition of Bontanical imag-ing & Woven cloth-ing

by Leonore Alaniz

The Barnes Gallery at Leverett Craft and Art center exhibits Botanical Prints and hand-woven Textiles for Interiors and Apparel by resident artisan Leonore Alaniz. On display and for sale are award-winning fabrics, meditation banners, accessories and garments. Timelessly elegant in its simplicity, the designer’s label is “collection diagami”.  Constructed in ways resembling diagonal origami: The cloth is regarded as entity and entirely utilized. Sewn largely by hand, one at a time, Alaniz’s cloth-Ing belongs to the Slow Cloth movement.

Alaniz learned sewing by deconstructing adult-sized garments. Her mother  sewed from the valuable fabrics garments for her daughters. Taught by Bauhaus influenced teachers, too, and surrounded by Scandinavian design, Alaniz apprenticed and designed for the Textile Industry during Germany’s economic recovery from WW2.

Her migrating to California 1971 however infused her with the textile sensibilities of Japan. Now design became purposeful, inseparable from craft, traditional utility and frugality. Alaniz’s textile vocabulary integrates all nuances. With hand-woven fabrics, she established her limited edition collection diagami, and  added later power-loomed linens and wool fabrics. Alaniz contrasts the simplicity of these fabrics with her one-of-a-kind silk scarves. They are painted or imprinted with plants and  airbrushed. The month-long exhibition includes also framed Nature Prints and others  on scrolls.

A percentage of sales proceeds benefit the Leverett Crafts & Arts center and the Leverett Peace Pagoda.

The opening reception with presentation is held on August 7^th from 3-6pm. The closing gathering on September 4^th from 3-6pm. Alaniz demonstrates Botanical Printing on the 13th, and teaches a class on the 20th. For additional information please refer to www.leverettcraft.org, http://www.facebook.com/leverettcrafts.org, call Leonore Alaniz at 860-605 6705 or email diagami@gmail.com