FRIEDAcommunity is proud to announce the show A closer look by Agathe Bouton.
100% of the sale proceeds of any artwork during the exhibition go to the artist. In return, we have asked that selected artists schedule time to engage with our community through a workshop, a demonstration, or a discussion.
“As a storyteller, I draw from my experiences and travels to create abstract art reflecting diverse cultures and histories. My work explores color atmospheres that evoke comfort and narrative. Using a contemporary approach to printmaking, I focus on improvisation and layering, finding freedom in transforming paper. I also draw inspiration from engraving and etching, showcasing a wide spectrum of color.
My “Burmese Days” series is inspired by the rich textiles of Burma (Myanmar), where I lived from 2006 to 2010. That inspiration came from the shape of pleated skirts, which are common in a region of Burma, when they are laid flat or flared out in a full spin. I explore the beauty and meaning of these fabrics through relief prints and monoprints on Burmese handmade mulberry paper, and I add stitching by hand.
My pieces hint at how these clothes are worn, washed, faded by the sun, lashed by rain, torn, repaired, and worn again. I aim to reflect the lifespan of a skirt from the intricacies of the original sewing to the repairs, often crude, that add layers of color and interest. I want to show that these deeply valued textiles bear witness to the lives of the women who grow, play, work, celebrate, and die within them. My work challenges the viewer to imagine moments of these lives – from the special to the mundane.”
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FRIEDAcommunity takes the opportunity to thank Anthony Latess for his generous donation of a new professional system to hang artwork on our gallery walls. We also want to thank Mark Stephens for the many hours, installing the exhibiton.
FRIEDAcommunity would not be as lively and nurturing as it is without its members, volunteers and donors.
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FRIEDAcommunity – A closer look: Agathe Bouton
February 7, 2025 – April 20, 2025
Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
FRIEDA 320 Walnut Street
