Symbols of home

Photo courtesy of artist

THE ABC’S. Chandler O’Leary uses the alphabet as a medium for art by way of unique stitched and quilted images of home life in her newest exhibit at Pacific Lutheran University, “Mnemonic Sampler.” The exhibit will be up until Nov. 11.

Currently on view at the University Gallery of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is Chandler O’Leary’s newest collection of handmade works entitled “Mnemonic Sampler.”

Taking a breather from her traditional outfit as letterpress printer with creative partner Jessica Spring, O’Leary composed a collection of her own in one-of-a-kind monoprint (non-replicable) pieces. Carving designs into reduction-cut linoleum blocks, (including both print colors) she then hand-pressed the impressions into the fabrics that would become the background for her alphabet-donning stitched and quilted samplers of everyday household items.

According to O’Leary’s artist statement for the show, the alphabet was chosen for this project because it’s one of the first mnemonic devices most people learn.

“The alphabet is one of the first lessons we learn as children. From the beginning we learn to use it as a mnemonic device—just like “Roy G. Biv,” or “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge”—assigning meaning to our world by associating symbols with each letter. Because the alphabet is one of our most basic and effective memory tools, we are drawn to it as both a visual and narrative archetype. It’s not surprising, then, that the abecedary (alphabet) is somewhat of a staple among book artists.”

Four walls inside the University Gallery house each letter of the alphabet in their stitched homes. Each letter is simplistically unique, housing a varying letter, flowery fabric swatch and painstakingly precise impression of the symbol.

The letter “c” for example showcases a vintage couch on a blue piece of fabric with pink and green flowers, and a lower-case royal blue “c” smack in the middle. “G” is a grandfather clock, with an island-inspired white and blue fabric and a brown letter. “L” is for laundry, hanging in the air to dry and taking on a light blue floral pattern with brown birds.

On the wall to the left of the entrance, eight photographs adorn the space, taking on two rows of four pictures each. They are framed simply in black wood, and the color images highlight O’Leary’s process from choosing the thread, to creating letters, to sewing together patchwork for the singularly quilted “q” swatch, to the collection of linoleum blocks and pieces hanging to dry. These photographs are an integral part of the show as they help viewers get inside the process that could prove difficult to imagine without the welcomed visual aids.

The 26 blocks used to create the pieces in the show are housed under two columns beneath plexiglass in the center of the gallery. When viewed closely, one can see the incredible detail of O’Leary’s handcarved efforts in order to get every piece exact and realistic. Small aspects that most people may ignore – such as the way in which fence posts stand next to each other, the patchwork pattern on an oven mitt and stitches on a pillowcase are all clearly depicted, and prove to viewers how incredibly meticulous O’Leary proves herself to be with every new artistic endeavor she takes on.

“Mnemonic Sampler” is up now through Nov. 11 at the University Gallery in Ingram Hall on the PLU campus, located at 12180 Park Ave. S. in Parkland. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (253) 535-7573, email , visit the PLU art department website at http://www.plu.edu/~artd/gallery.html or visit O’Leary’s website at http://www.anagram-press.com.

Commenting rules