curious about joy?
libbie burns
sept 4 - oct 3, 2024
craft council of bc
artist statement
Over time, I have sat in many church pews and always left those institutions frustrated. The spiritual search for freedom and joy continued for quite some time until one day…. a Zoom course popped up during the pandemic offering an opportunity to explore Buddhism with an emphasis on intention setting. Feeling somewhat fearful and dubious, I decided to pay the money and enroll in the six-week course. I was also highly motivated after reading a quote by Rasheed, “Having abandoned the flimsy fantasy of certainty, I decided to wander”.
Well what a joy that course turned out to be! We talked about showing up for life as the best you can be and how to respond wisely to life’s ups and downs. We talked about depending on oneself for answers – discovering that self discovery is really self re-discovery. It’s just a matter of choosing to explore our inner capacity for love and compassion – both for ourselves and others. As the Dalai Lama says “Buddhist teachings are not a religion, they are a science of the mind”. As I continued to learn more about ancient Buddhist teachings and how they relate to modern life, it became important to visually express my exciting discoveries. Combining my love of wet hand felting with my joy of on-going self-discovery led to this sculpture.
“As I continued to learn more about ancient Buddhist teachings and how they relate to modern life, it became important to visually express my exciting discoveries.”
The four upper felted pieces represent the Four Noble Truths:
- We suffer in life
- We suffer because of craving, delusion and aversion
- Suffering is not inevitable. We can let go of our unhealthy patterns and develop healthy ones.
- We can follow the Eightfold Path to develop integrity, wisdom, mindfulness, compassion and joy.
Following along this path are eight felted vessels that act as guides – each with inner seeds for growth, a heart to the source and a direction to follow. Scattered on the floor are many of the qualities that can be developed along the way. There is no end to the journey – it lasts forever.
To create this piece I used merino wool fibres and other natural fibres including silk and cotton. Those combined with water, soap and lots of hand manipulation to produce fabric. The resulting hand felted fabric pieces were hand stitched and manipulated into various shapes. The tools are simple – bubble wrap, a pool noodle, some ties and strong muscles! Creating a visual reference for these teachings has been challenging and delightful! With integrity and determination, I have felted a sculptural piece that depicts my personal joy filled journey to date. Hopefully something about it inspires you too!
artist bio
Libbie Burns is a textile artist celebrated for her fusion of traditional and contemporary fiber art techniques. Her background in frame loom tapestry weaving and spinning led her to a profound passion for wet hand felting. Influenced by workshops with prominent fiber artists like Marjolein Dallinga and Liz Clay, Burns creates unique, multidimensional wearable art.
Her exploration of color has been enriched by dye workshops, including indigo dyeing at Maiwa in Vancouver, and her recent eco-printing projects highlight her innovative use of color and nature. Burns’ work reflects a modern approach to traditional processes, blending skillful craftsmanship with artistic experimentation.