Feeling Soft at the Hardware Store
For the installation on Main Street in downtown Rushville, NE, I reached out to my friends and community to collect the old garden tools that are displayed in Hinn’s Hardware. Antique shovels from a friend’s grandfather, an old John Deere lawn mower from my neighbor, and a garden rake from a goat farm are among the items I received. The history of the tools can be seen in the worn, twisted, and even broken handles. I then honored these well used objects by creating colorful crocheted coverings. I am highlighting the contrasts between hard and soft, old and new. The work plays with the dichotomy between manual labor and handicraft.
I am interested in public arts ability to interact with viewers in ways that can’t be experienced in a museum or gallery setting. When someone comes across an installation in an unexpected location, it can change the viewer’s perception of the possibilities of art. While people search throughout the hardware store to find all the locations of the art, hopefully it will also bring a smile to their face.
This project is part of the exhibition "Art aRound Town" organized by The Sandhills Institute.
I am interested in public arts ability to interact with viewers in ways that can’t be experienced in a museum or gallery setting. When someone comes across an installation in an unexpected location, it can change the viewer’s perception of the possibilities of art. While people search throughout the hardware store to find all the locations of the art, hopefully it will also bring a smile to their face.
This project is part of the exhibition "Art aRound Town" organized by The Sandhills Institute.
1.Hammer Softly, 2024. Hammers and embroidery floss.
The hammers belonged to my friend Mary Jey’s aunt and were given to me when I helped clean out her aunt’s house after her death.
2.Can you regrow a relationship?, 2024. Small garden tools and embroidery floss.
This small set of garden tools was given to me by my next door neighbor. We no longer speak because of an argument over our shared fence and my trees.
3.John Dear, 2024. Lawnmower. acrylic yarn, fiberfil, wire.
Lawnmower was given to me by Herbert Uhl, a beloved neighbor who had lent this mower to me for years so I could mow my lawn. When Herb became too old to mow his own lawn, he gave it to me permanently. Just this year I replaced it with a new electric lawnmower.
4.There was a softness in her touch, 2024. Collected garden tools and acrylic yarn.
-The two shovels and hoe were given to me by Dennis Nance, they belonged to his grandfather and had been gathering dust in his mother’s garage.
-The garden fork was given to me by Lisa and Christian Seger who run a small dairy goat farm outside of Houston, TX.
-The broken garden fork was given to me by my friend and ceramics teacher Carole Smith.
-The rake was given to me by a friend and neighbor, Dave Eldridge. We walked our dogs together every morning for almost 10 years.
The hammers belonged to my friend Mary Jey’s aunt and were given to me when I helped clean out her aunt’s house after her death.
2.Can you regrow a relationship?, 2024. Small garden tools and embroidery floss.
This small set of garden tools was given to me by my next door neighbor. We no longer speak because of an argument over our shared fence and my trees.
3.John Dear, 2024. Lawnmower. acrylic yarn, fiberfil, wire.
Lawnmower was given to me by Herbert Uhl, a beloved neighbor who had lent this mower to me for years so I could mow my lawn. When Herb became too old to mow his own lawn, he gave it to me permanently. Just this year I replaced it with a new electric lawnmower.
4.There was a softness in her touch, 2024. Collected garden tools and acrylic yarn.
-The two shovels and hoe were given to me by Dennis Nance, they belonged to his grandfather and had been gathering dust in his mother’s garage.
-The garden fork was given to me by Lisa and Christian Seger who run a small dairy goat farm outside of Houston, TX.
-The broken garden fork was given to me by my friend and ceramics teacher Carole Smith.
-The rake was given to me by a friend and neighbor, Dave Eldridge. We walked our dogs together every morning for almost 10 years.