Adi Parker is doing something she's not quite sure has been done before.
As Port Coquitlam's newest artist-in-residence, Parker is stitching together old clothes - just like a quilt - and also brushing a layer of colour on top, just like a painting.
She calls her latest creations "abstract quilts."
For her residency at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, which started on Monday and runs until nearly Christmas, Parker plans to build 20 to 30 canvases made of T-shirts, jeans or whatever other duds that come her way.
"I'm cutting, sewing, putting together frames and embroidering," the former Maillardville resident said from her new space in the Gathering Place in Leigh Square. "I start by looking for different textures and patterns and deconstruct the elements."
A graduate of the Maryland Institute of Art, Parker got the idea for the project from her family.
Growing up, she was fascinated with their quilting skills, finding history with each square and joining them to tell a bigger picture through material.
Parker thought that by adding a splash of paint to her work would offer a new layer for the viewer.
"People love the handmade quality to things and they especially love that there's a personal relationship attached to it," she said. "Their perception and interpretation is what always fascinates me."
Still, her abstract quilts are also a reminder of how people dispose of things so quickly rather than re-using or recycling them.
"It's yet another example of modern society," she said.
To donate clean, secondhand clothes for Adi Parker's art project, drop them off at the Gathering Place (1100-2253 Leigh Sq.) on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in a box or bag marked "Adi Parker." For pick-up, email [email protected].
Chocolate?
Pairing art with song is a common for shows these days but Adi Parker has a new twist to the twinning concept.
This and next month, PoCo's artist-in-residence is pairing chocolate from Xoxolat in Yaletown with various art works.
For 90 minutes, guests will nibble on 10 gourmet chocolates while viewing a slide show on masterpieces.
On Thursday night, Parker will present classical art while Nov. 6 will feature assemblage art and Nov. 27 will focus on modern art.
Parker said the idea is to stimulate the two senses - "in a cozy environment - with the taste buds and the eyes activated. To register, call 604-927-7529 or go to experienceit.ca.
