Bonnie C. Epstein

Biography

Bonnie C. Epstein discovered the potential of thread, color, and texture in her grandmother's yarn shop and honed her craft while designing embroidery for New York City's garment manufacturing industry. Her work has been in numerous group shows in museums and galleries across the United States among them: the Museum of Art and Design and the Center for Book Arts in New York City; the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn NY, The New York State Museum, Albany, NY,  the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA., Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, WY., James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA. and the Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND.

Artist statement

I work with threads of all kinds, papers harvested on their way to the recycling bin, and the camera on my iPhone. Almost all of my work with paper is hand-stitched. Both stitching and photography enable me to explore the potential of textures, patterns, and shadows. Each also enables me to tell stories.

Because the paper I use is often covered with text, my work is frequently infused with text. I use text to create pattern, or visual texture.  But, at times it is the text itself that determines the nature of a piece.  Although much of my work is story-based, it took me years to realize that many of my pieces are “books”, usually chronicles or commentaries.  

I cut my harvested papers, coat the clippings with matte medium, machine stitch them to cotton interfacing, then use hand embroidery stitches to connect and embellish the treated paper elements. My finished pieces are deceptively fragile-looking, often lace-like. 

In 2015 I got an iPhone for urgent family communication.  While learning to text, I accidentally tapped the camera icon.  Used immediately and intuitively, that camera became my talisman, journal, sketchbook, and constant calming, focusing companion.  My photos often chronicle or comment.

Stitching is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Photography is instant gratification. Together they create a perfect balance.