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“Everything has its limitations, and certainly fiber does…and of course the loom has many limitations. I love working within limitations.” - Kay Sekimachi
Kay Sekimachi is known for her elegant and technically complex woven forms. Her nylon monofilament works reflect a revolutionary method she developed decades ago: each is woven in six layers on a twelve-harness loom. Taken off the loom, they open, as here, into ethereal sculptures.
Born in San Francisco, Sekimachi showed an early aptitude for calligraphy, painting, and origami. Later, she studied with Bauhaus-trained weaver Trude Guermonprez, who instilled in her an appreciation for materials and method. Sekimachi’s works also reflect an affinity for such diverse textile techniques as Native American split-ply twining, Tibetan card weaving, and Peruvian gauze weaves.
Amiyose V
Kay Sekimachi (American, born in 1926)
American
1986
Medium/Technique
Woven nylon 6 monofilament, methyl methacrylate tubing
Dimensions
72 x 15 x 9 inches
Credit Line
William Francis Warden Fund, funds donated by Daphne Farago and Jane Pappalardo, and partial gift of the artist
Accession Number2012.119
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsContemporary Art, Americas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsFiber arts
“Everything has its limitations, and certainly fiber does…and of course the loom has many limitations. I love working within limitations.” - Kay Sekimachi
Kay Sekimachi is known for her elegant and technically complex woven forms. Her nylon monofilament works reflect a revolutionary method she developed decades ago: each is woven in six layers on a twelve-harness loom. Taken off the loom, they open, as here, into ethereal sculptures.
Born in San Francisco, Sekimachi showed an early aptitude for calligraphy, painting, and origami. Later, she studied with Bauhaus-trained weaver Trude Guermonprez, who instilled in her an appreciation for materials and method. Sekimachi’s works also reflect an affinity for such diverse textile techniques as Native American split-ply twining, Tibetan card weaving, and Peruvian gauze weaves.
DescriptionWhite nylon monofilament woven in multiple layers to form a sculptural hanging.
Provenance2012, sold by the artist, Berkeley, CA, to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 25, 2012)
CopyrightReproduced with consultation in advance.