The very fiber of great art to be showcased at Lawrenceville gallery Luke & Eloy

April 19, 10:02 AMPittsburgh Stage and Screen ExaminerAlan Petrucelli

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Sondheim was right: Art isn’t easy.

We’ve always thought that the essence of great art was the passionate infused into each piece . . . the very fiber that defines each as individual and innovative, eclectic and exciting.

And we’re obviously not alone in our thinking.

Brigitte Martin is cut from the same cloth.

The gallery director and owner of Luke & Eloy Gallery, Martin---herself an accomplished goldsmith and fine art jeweler---has gathered 18 artists from across the country asking each to “stretch the boundaries of traditional fiber art forms.”

They’ve done what was asked, and the result, “Fibers Expanded,” will be on exhibit from May 2 to June 6, 2009 at Luke & Eloy Gallery, 5169 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

The exhibit features an astonishing variety of works made from fibers of many types and in various combinations. Atticus Adams’ large, undulating sculpture, "Slumber of the Ancestors" (below), seems to float like a feather, but is actually made from coated aluminum mesh.

Other artists whose work rethinks ancient fiber art forms---here presented in alphabetical order to be fair---are Cheryl Eve Acosta, Alissa Alfonso, Eileen Doughty, Ashley Ernest, Alison Gates, Beverly Hertler, Sarah Holden, Suki Kwon, Amy Long, Sharon McCartney, Carol Milne, Jennifer Moss, Matt Nelson, Masako Onodera, Ceres Rangos, Norman Sherfield and Islay Taylor.

Expect only the best, even if “the best” means having to think of out that proverbial box. “Art and craft is a major part of my life,” explains Martin, who opened the gallery in September 2008.

“I can’t dance or sing. I never understood business very well. And I wasn’t focused enough to go into law or medicine. The urge to make and be surrounded by beautiful things sealed my fate. I can’t help myself---I must do this.”

And you must join us at the opening reception on Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.---especially if you like to (a) mingle and munch, (b) rub elbows with some of Pittsburgh’s best artists and (c) meet new people whose visions make have you rethink the creative threads of your life. 

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information, call (412) 784-1919 or visit  lukeandeloy.ning.com/