IRIS sullivan daire
"Preserved: healing stories of plants & ancestors"
Nov 14 - Dec 5, 2020
Artist and naturalist dyer Iris Sullivan Daire offers a contemplative installation for these times of peril. Preserved: healing stories of plants & ancestors includes an array of foraged colors on hand printed, stitched and woven cloth that celebrate a seven-year journey of healing. Sullivan Daire of Astoria uses natural dyes as a portal to deeper relationships to self, others and the natural world.
In late 2013, Sullivan Daire was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. With deep sincerity and dedication, she documented her experience in a blog filled with heartfelt experiences, challenges, stories, lessons, and resources, which can be found at dreambirdstudio.com or pookaride.com.
A few excerpts ::
The dividing rate given to the larger tumor was 70% on a scale in which anything over 20% represents HIGH growth. When I went over all of the particulars of my pathology report with the glossary to interpret it, basically every measurement that they took was an indication of, to quote from the pamphlet itself, ‘"Worse possible outcome.’” . . . With the help and support of my family, friends, community and healthcare team I experienced what is known as a “cure.” . . . As I look back I have been thinking about what parts have been the hardest for me to deal with. I do this not to wallow in it, but to get clear, reframe if needed and move forward more lightly. . . . Choosing to use art and dreams and the sweetness of plant medicine to light my journey...”
Sullivan Daire’s craft and artwork is well known to many in the area. She often participates in local fiber art exhibits, offers regional and national natural dyeing and indigo workshops, and was one of the founders of the Blue Scorcher Café. Sullivan Daire’s work is more than just visually appealing, it is infused with our roots, a journey of learning and celebration of our ancestors, and a reminder that we share our world, and depend on, a lot more living organisms than just humans and animals.
Another excerpt from Sullivan Daire’s blog :::
The history of cloth is the history of humanity. . . . Perhaps the artists and knitters and makers of all kinds are creating the next revolution of human consciousness, one in which we again align ourselves with plants. If so then it is as part of a long line of craftsman, artists, farmers and activists who have known this truth all along. The lineage that acknowledges that to be human is to be a creator. . . . My intention is that the work of my hands, in collaboration with the natural world and the other makers of the materials I use, will inspire more connection, joy and beauty in the lives of all.
AVA is now open.
Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4:00pm.
Second Saturday Art Walk, noon to 8:00pm
Please enjoy the exhibits while
wearing a mask and observing social distancing.
Also open by appointment: astoriavisualarts@gmail.com
In late 2013, Sullivan Daire was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. With deep sincerity and dedication, she documented her experience in a blog filled with heartfelt experiences, challenges, stories, lessons, and resources, which can be found at dreambirdstudio.com or pookaride.com.
A few excerpts ::
The dividing rate given to the larger tumor was 70% on a scale in which anything over 20% represents HIGH growth. When I went over all of the particulars of my pathology report with the glossary to interpret it, basically every measurement that they took was an indication of, to quote from the pamphlet itself, ‘"Worse possible outcome.’” . . . With the help and support of my family, friends, community and healthcare team I experienced what is known as a “cure.” . . . As I look back I have been thinking about what parts have been the hardest for me to deal with. I do this not to wallow in it, but to get clear, reframe if needed and move forward more lightly. . . . Choosing to use art and dreams and the sweetness of plant medicine to light my journey...”
Sullivan Daire’s craft and artwork is well known to many in the area. She often participates in local fiber art exhibits, offers regional and national natural dyeing and indigo workshops, and was one of the founders of the Blue Scorcher Café. Sullivan Daire’s work is more than just visually appealing, it is infused with our roots, a journey of learning and celebration of our ancestors, and a reminder that we share our world, and depend on, a lot more living organisms than just humans and animals.
Another excerpt from Sullivan Daire’s blog :::
The history of cloth is the history of humanity. . . . Perhaps the artists and knitters and makers of all kinds are creating the next revolution of human consciousness, one in which we again align ourselves with plants. If so then it is as part of a long line of craftsman, artists, farmers and activists who have known this truth all along. The lineage that acknowledges that to be human is to be a creator. . . . My intention is that the work of my hands, in collaboration with the natural world and the other makers of the materials I use, will inspire more connection, joy and beauty in the lives of all.
AVA is now open.
Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4:00pm.
Second Saturday Art Walk, noon to 8:00pm
Please enjoy the exhibits while
wearing a mask and observing social distancing.
Also open by appointment: astoriavisualarts@gmail.com
Previously in the AVA Gallery:
January 2019 : Teresa Robinett
February 2019 : Ceramics Invitational
March 2019 : Anne Greenwood Rioseco
April 2019 : Clatsop County High School Art Show
May 2019 : Print Portfolio Show
June 2019 : Renee Rowe and Audrey Long
July 2019 : Astoria Open Studios Tour artists
August 2019 : Ruth Lantz, Jill Mulholland, Shelby Silver
September 2019: "Fugitive": Jesse Jones, Jessica Schleif, Dawn Stetzel
October 2019 : "Emerging": Current and former resident artists
November 2019: "The Edge : Marie Powell, Betsy Nelson, Kirsten Horning, Kristin Shauck, Penny Treat, Anna Lee Larimore
December 2019: "Two Point Perspective : Denise Monaghan, John Willis
January 2020: "Northwestern Songs of the Americas" : Tim Janchar
February 2020: "Creatures of the Deep: Gyotaku by Duncan Berry;"Ecological Rehabilitation Through Art," by Shelby Silver
March-June 2020: "Ground Level," works by artists who serve as AVA docents
April 2020: "Pandemic," a virtual show of pandemic-inspired art by local and regional artists
May-June 2020: "Clatsop County High School Art Students" juried exhibit
July 2020: "Artists of Astoria"/ Astoria Open Studios Virtual Tour
August 2020: "Goddesses and Assemblages," Jill Mulholland
Sept 2020 : "Ad Nauseum," Garland Kirkpatrick
Oct 2020 : "October Surprise," Morrison Pierce
January 2019 : Teresa Robinett
February 2019 : Ceramics Invitational
March 2019 : Anne Greenwood Rioseco
April 2019 : Clatsop County High School Art Show
May 2019 : Print Portfolio Show
June 2019 : Renee Rowe and Audrey Long
July 2019 : Astoria Open Studios Tour artists
August 2019 : Ruth Lantz, Jill Mulholland, Shelby Silver
September 2019: "Fugitive": Jesse Jones, Jessica Schleif, Dawn Stetzel
October 2019 : "Emerging": Current and former resident artists
November 2019: "The Edge : Marie Powell, Betsy Nelson, Kirsten Horning, Kristin Shauck, Penny Treat, Anna Lee Larimore
December 2019: "Two Point Perspective : Denise Monaghan, John Willis
January 2020: "Northwestern Songs of the Americas" : Tim Janchar
February 2020: "Creatures of the Deep: Gyotaku by Duncan Berry;"Ecological Rehabilitation Through Art," by Shelby Silver
March-June 2020: "Ground Level," works by artists who serve as AVA docents
April 2020: "Pandemic," a virtual show of pandemic-inspired art by local and regional artists
May-June 2020: "Clatsop County High School Art Students" juried exhibit
July 2020: "Artists of Astoria"/ Astoria Open Studios Virtual Tour
August 2020: "Goddesses and Assemblages," Jill Mulholland
Sept 2020 : "Ad Nauseum," Garland Kirkpatrick
Oct 2020 : "October Surprise," Morrison Pierce
