Exhibitions
View a listing of exhibits of Karin Franzen’s work. The most recent exhibits appear first.
Denali National Park Artist in Residence
August 17th – August 28th, 2009
At Home in High Places
For 10 glorious days in August this summer I and a companion lived in a small wilderness cabin inside the Denali National Park and Preserve as an Artist in Residence. In exchange for this wonderful experience, I donated this piece of artwork, “At Home in High Places” to the park for their collection. The artwork depicts an adult Golden Eagle and eaglet at a nest site high atop a rock outcropping. Recycled clothing was collaged onto hand-dyed silk organza to build up the image which was then mounted on a frame with backer board and eged with a walnut finish frame. Read More
Earth, Fire, and Fibre XXVII
Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK
September 4 – December 6, 2009
Pirouette VI
Pirouette VI is the recipient of an Honorary Mention award by juror Patricia Watkinson. Also on exhibit is Pirouette IV, recipient of the President’s Choice award at 2008 Quilt Visions.
Well Street Art Company
Fiberart by Karin Franzen, Ree Nancarrow, Kathie Cook, Phyllis Movius
July 2009
My pieces treat the subject of Fireweed from various scientific perspectives including Ecology, Taxomony, Seed Morphology, Parasitism, Symbiosis, and the Mathematics of Growth Patterns. See the 2009 Gallery page for photos.
The piece "Ecology" hangs in the lower gallery.
Three of the pieces are double-sided and can be hung as room dividers. They are constructed from sheer fabrics so that backlighting becomes an important variable in their appearance, and they change constantly as light conditions vary throughout the day. The photo above shows one side of the piece “Ecology”. The piece on the wall to the left is “Symbiosis”. Read More
LaConner Quilt and Textile Museum
“Birdscapes”, April 1 – June 28, 2009 in LaConner, Washington
Ascending the stairwell to the third story of the Gaches Mansion which houses the LaConner Quilt and Textile Museum we arrive at the intermediate landing with the first piece of the show “Birdscapes” by Karin Franzen. Read More
Quilt Visions 2008 – Contemporary Expressions
Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA
November 8, 2008 to March 1, 2009
Pirouette IV
Pirouette IV is the recipient of the President’s Choice Award for Quilt San Diego/Quilt Visions 2008. Read More
A Time to Dance
International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
October 2008
A Time to Dance at IGCA
This work was inspired by the spirited dance of Sandhill Cranes and features their acrobatic movements. When viewed as a series, the pieces depict the sequential movements of a single adult male crane as he jumps and whirls through an ever-changing seasonal context. Read More
SAQA: Creative Force 2007
International Quilt Festival in Houston, Chicago, and Long Beach
CK Media Gallery, Golden, CO
November 2007 through June 2008
Pausing to Preen
Pausing to Preen is constructed from a variety of recycled clothing and decorator fabrics. The sandhill crane is built up from tiny raw-edged pieces, the background is pieced, and the piece is machine-quilted.
Expressions: The Art Quilt
Sponsored by Ricki Timms
Breakfast at the Bog
“Breakfast at the Bog” recieved the Juror’s Choice award by Katie Pasquini Mausopuist.
The center panel of the background was created by the artist using chlorine bleach discharge with grasses on dark navy cotton. The birds were constructed using raw-edge applique. A cotton dress forms the top and bottom borders.
Alaska One Televsion 2006 Poster
KUAC in Fairbanks, KTOO in Juneau, KYUK in Bethel
Autumn Raven
Karin Franzen’s “Autumn Raven” was chosen for the annual poster fundraiser for Alaska One public television stations for the year 2006.
A raven sits in a aspen tree against a clear blue sky. Aspen leaves are pieced into to hexagons to form the background as a reference to traditional quilting patterns. The raven and aspen branch are made with more contemporary methods of raw-edge applique and machine embroidery with metallic threads to create the highlighting on the raven’s feathers.
