Pam Godderis Dangerfield
pamgodderis@shaw.ca
I believe that creative art is a unique or personal idea manifested through art media. Creativity is a process, not a product. The desire to be creative is universal and each individual reflects his or her uniqueness in an original way. My desire in teaching is to stimulate this discovery and direct students in exploring their own interpretations. I
endeavor to demonstrate to my students that art is all around us; that
we must re-educate ourselves to look and see; that we must evaluate what
is seen and give _expression to unique visions and perceptions.
My personal artistic expressions are offer through fibre art. I feel a closeness to fabric perhaps because it is so basic to life. Fabric
surrounds us from the time we are born; we wear fabric daily; we crawl
between fabrics to sleep; fabric drapes and moves and softens the edges
of our lives. My work is usually created
with a threaded needle and encompasses a wide range of techniques from
traditional and contemporary embroidery, quilting and beading. My choice of technique is dependent upon suitability to developing and expressing each individual idea. I
regularly use the domestic sewing machine as a drawing and textural
tool by lowering the feed dogs and removing the presser foot to allow
for a spontaneous flow of rhythm and movement.
The inspirations for my designs come from observations and reflections
of nature, man-made objects and human relationships. I attempt to look at the familiar in unfamiliar ways in order to see new interpretations of lines, shapes, colors and textures. The motivation for my work is an attempt to express some undefined quality, an inner need, an emotion, a message? My finished work does not itself represent the destination but the continuation of the journey. It incorporates my experiences and stimulates growth in a new direction.
By exhibiting my work I expect to share the “spirit” of each piece with the observer, to make a statement and stimulate thought. I want the observer to become involved, an active participant. I expect the same of my teaching. I know that inspiration given through exhibiting and teaching will return to inspire and encourage me further.
