Submitted by W.J. Elvin III:
Extreme Knitting and Crochet Art
by Brynn Mannino
WomansDay.com
May 19, 2011
Check out 10 elaborate masterpieces made from yarn and string
While some people may think knitting and crocheting are just for grandmas, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, in the last few years, there has been a huge resurgence in these techniques, and the projects go far beyond scarves and gloves. Crocheted and knitted artworks have taken the world by storm, both on the street””a movement referred to as “knit graffiti,” “yarn bombing” and “urban knitting”””and in modern art circles alike. Loved for the humanizing quality it lends to everyday objects, the medium continues to attract artists, who have no doubt been inspired by the pioneering works below.
“Locker Room”
Through his artwork, New York–based artist Nathan Vincent works to gender-neutralize objects associated with overt masculinity. When completed, “the objects are no longer rough and manly, but soft and inviting,” he says. This particular installation, for which he crocheted over 200 skeins of Lion brand yarn, will be displayed at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Seattle through June 26, 2011. Photo: courtesy of Bellevue Arts Museum
Banksy Tribute
In 2011, Polish artist Agata Oleksiak””who goes by “Olek”””paid homage to one of the great street artists of her time, UK-based Banksy, by crocheting Red Heart acrylic yarn to emulate one of his most famous pieces: “Balloon Girl” (a.k.a. “Girl with Red Balloon”). She installed her works (five in all) on the sides of buildings throughout downtown Manhattan to help promote Banksy’s documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which was nominated for an Oscar. Photo: courtesy of Olek
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