FAR at the MUSK OX FARM 2021
Ahtna Nenn’ + Dënéndeh Land
PALMER, AK | U.S.
The Fiber Artist Residency (FAR) at the Musk Ox Farm introduces contemporary artists to qiviut cultivation at the non-profit in Palmer, AK. Resident artists are given time and space to develop their work independently amidst the oomingmak (‘musk ox’) and natural landscape, and share their research publicly through fiber-based workshops.
History:
In May 2015, artist and educator Gabe Duggan traveled from Atlanta, GA to conduct an independent residency at the Musk Ox Farm during combing and calving season. This self-proposed residency expanded Duggan's research in fibers (ethics and physics), animal psychology (predator/prey relationships), and installation art (fiber-based, site-specific). This beta residency involved daily labor alongside the farm's competitive veterinarian intern program, continuation of independent artistic ideation, and culminated in a large, public-engaging installation. Through this rigorous experience, Duggan accumulated embodied knowledge of working with the unique species and their fiber.
July 2021:
The inaugural FAR at the Musk Ox Farm is being held by invitation in July 2021 with artists Gabe Duggan, Emily Johnson, and Tina Marks (bios and information below). These artists bring a wide range of interests/research/specialization to the farm to be shared with visitors including cyanotype, embroidery, coiling, and fiber foundations/spinning. Registration below.
The residents’ research is supported through lodging, shared studio space in the renovated barn loft (ADA accessible), outdoor sites for land-based experiments, time for development of personal work, conversations and activities with other resident artists, and local field trips such as hikes and museums. Artists will learn about the oomingmak and qiviut first-hand through observations of feedings, weigh-ins, and discussion of the combing process.
Future:
FAR at the Musk Ox Farm will be held in future seasons with closer proximity to combing and calving (May), where fiber collection can be observed.
Artists will be invited through a brief application process completed in December of the preceding year, with acceptance announced in January.
Please contact Gabe and Mark with questions:
gabriellemduggan@gmail.com
mark@muskoxfarm.org
FAR WORKSHOPS
JULY 9TH & 11TH
$40/Workshop
Register for two workshops, receive 10% off in our gift shop day of!
Register for three workshops, receive 15% off in our gift shop day of!
Register for four workshops, receive 20% off in our gift shop day of!
Introduction to Cyanotype: Nature prints
Friday, July 9 @ 3:00pm with Tina Marks and Emily Johnson
This workshop will introduce students to the alternative photographic process known as cyanotype with its roots in art and science. Botanist Anna Atkins used this process in the 1850s to document and study plant life without using a camera. Students will design and develop sun photograms using plant material, pressed flowers, and other objects found in nature. The finished prints will be inverse images of white on a prussian (cyan) blue ground on both paper and fabric. Students will learn and practice this technique with supplied materials and space. Ages: 12 + Up; ADA Compliant; Please contact with accessibility and accommodation questions.
Fiber Foundations: Spinning
Friday, July 9 @ 7:00pm with Gabe Duggan
Seen in mythologies across many cultures, the traditional technique of spinning binds fibers together forms strands (thread, yarn, or rope) that can be used to construct cloth. This fundamental action is necessary to twist elements together; from fine qiviut lace, to innovations in aerospace and biomedical engineering. Students will make their own spindle and learn and practice the dynamics of spinning. The significance of technology (eg. basic spindles from sticks) will be discussed and utilized. More advanced technology such as spinning wheels will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will learn and practice this technique with supplied materials and space.
Ages: 12 + Up; ADA Compliant; Please contact with accessibility and accommodation questions.
Fiber Foundations: Interlooping
Sunday, July 11 @ 1:00pm with Gabe Duggan
Students will use their hands to draw in space by manipulating strands such as thread, yarn, twine. This technique builds from basic crochet methods to render a strand into 2D planes and 3D space - simple actions that can be used as building blocks to make a blanket or improvisationally, as seen in Duggan’s large scale installations. By drawing loops within loops from a single source, the artist is given a freedom of movement that echoes the ingenuity of arachnids. Technology such as basic handtools will be discussed though not necessary to work with. Students will learn and practice this technique with supplied materials and space. Ages: 12 + Up; ADA Compliant; Please contact with accessibility and accommodation questions.
Introduction to Cyanotype: Fabric and Texture
Sunday, July 11 @ 3:30pm with Tina Marks and Emily Johnson
This workshop will introduce students to the alternative photographic process known as cyanotype with its roots in art and science. Botanist Anna Atkins used this process in the 1850s to document and study plant life without using a camera. Students will create their own textural prints by drawing with yarn, fiber, and found objects. The finished prints will be inverse images of white on a prussian (cyan) blue ground on both paper and fabric. Students will learn and practice this technique with supplied materials and space. Ages: 12 + Up; ADA Compliant; Please contact with accessibility and accommodation questions.
REGISTER
RSVP ClosedFri, Jul 09The Musk Ox FarmJul 09, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM AKDTIn this workshop, students will make their own spindle and learn and practice the dynamics of spinning.
RSVP ClosedFri, Jul 09The Musk Ox FarmJul 09, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM AKDTThis workshop will introduce students to the alternative photographic process known as cyanotype with its roots in art and science.
RSVP ClosedSun, Jul 11The Musk Ox FarmJul 11, 2021, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM AKDTThis workshop will introduce students to the alternative photographic process known as cyanotype with its roots in art and science.
RSVP ClosedSun, Jul 11The Musk Ox FarmJul 11, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM AKDTIn this workshop, students will use their hands to draw in space by manipulating strands such as thread, yarn, twine.
ARTIST BIOS
GABE DUGGAN
@gabeduggan
Gabe/Gabrielle Duggan (b. Buffalo, NY) combines techniques of traditional fiber work to push material boundaries, establishing and challenging repetitive systems of tension and balance.
Building from experience and education in fine art, fashion, and textiles (SUNY Buffalo, FIT, NCSU; Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir), their work has been supported by the NC Arts Council (RAPG), Art on the Atlanta Beltline (GA); exhibitions at SECCA, Flanders, Lump, Anchorlight(NC); Arrowmont (TN), and Garis & Hahn (NY).
Duggan has been a Knight Foundation Emerging Artist at Ponyride (MI); a Fellow at Salem Art Works (NY); and an R.R. Dunn Artist in Residence in collaboration with Adrian Smith's laboratory in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Residencies include: Landfalls Performance Process (Franklin Chthonics, NY), the Musk Ox Farm (AK), Governors Island Art Fair (NY), The Bascom (NC), IndieGrits Film Festival (SC), Artspace (NC), Art+Science in the Field Center (NC), Praxis Fiber Workshop (OH), and Cooler Ranch (NY).
Assistant Professor at East Carolina University, Duggan has taught at the University of North Texas, Georgia State University, North Carolina State University, Penland School of Craft, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.
EMILY JOHNSON
@hartlandbrooklyn
Emily Johnson (Leeds, NY) is an illustrator and founder of stationery company Hartland Brooklyn (est. 2012). Her previous work in fashion, and textile background (FIT, NYC) heavily influences her work through repeat, pattern, color, and texture. Designs are often inspired by forms found in the natural environment. Emily's work is especially inspired by plant life, flowers native to her home and studio, along with her travels.
Her work is bright and graphic - first using pen and ink on paper, then adding neon pantones by hand via digital tools. Emily's cards are sold throughout the world and she has worked with notable companies such as West Elm, Le Bon Marché, Anthropologie, and J. Crew.
TINA MARKS
@cmarkstina
North Texas based fiber artist, Tina Marks, explores how the passage of time physically manifests itself on objects and beings. Her work combines a love of old things, her experiences in fashion, and fascination with the natural world. Abstract ghost images are created in cyanotype on cotton and interact with hand stitching into the surface.
She grew up in the Midwest but has a deep appreciation for rugged coastal areas, especially Brittany and the west coast of Scotland. Taking walks to observe twisting, textured bark patterns and rock formations formed through the passage of time provide the inspiration for her artwork.