Skip to main content

Artist Profile – Annie Albers, Renaissance Woman

South of the Border (cotton & wool), 1958
Annie Albers, 1899-1994, was a true Renaissance Woman. Born in Berlin Germany at the end of the 19th century, Albers was one of the most influential textile artists of all time. As a trained artist, Albers did not see textiles as second to painting and sculpture. Rather, she embraced textiles as a fine art form that should be seen side by side with all such artworks.
Photo Source: http://albersfoundation.org/teaching/anni-albers/introduction/#slide12

 Annie Albers was born Annelise Fleischman and married the painter Joseph Albers in 1925. They both were heavily involved in the modern art movement in Germany and joined the famous Bauhaus in the 1920s. In 1933 the Nazis forced the Bauhaus to close and Annie and Joseph moved to America. They both taught at the influential Black Mountain College and became US citizens in 1939. While at Black Mountain Albers taught weaving with a focus on mass production and began experimenting with new materials.

Annie Albers became the first textile artist to present a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1949. Afterwards she and Joseph moved to New Haven, Connecticut to teach at Yale University. She continued to work in textiles but also began experimenting with printmaking as well. Albers was very interested in methods of production and the creation of modern design that is intended to be available to the masses. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anni-Albers)

Study in Red Stripes (gouache on blueprint paper), 1969

Untitled Wall Hanging (wool), 1984
Red Meander (screen print), 1970-71

Knot (gouache on paper), 1947
Necklace, 1940

 Today we should thank Annie Albers for her contributions to art and to her strong belief in making art and design for the good of the public at large. She believed that everyone deserved beautiful design to make their life and home both functional and pleasant. Companies such as IKEA have embraced this philosophy and we now can enjoy her influence every single day.

Photo Source: http://albersfoundation.org/teaching/anni-albers/on-weaving/

BUY IT! If you are absolutely in love with Annie Albers textiles, Knoll has one of her most iconic designs for sale by the yard. It's not inexpensive but it is positively gorgeous.

Eclat Weave in Tangerine available at Knoll

Popular posts from this blog

Artist Profile - Andy Goldsworthy

Are you an avid hiker, naturalist or just like to sit out on in the fresh air? Or do you simply enjoy beautiful sights? Of course, beauty can be found just about anywhere. Because I am lucky to live in a wooded community I am treated to a daily concert of sights and sounds and no day is the same. The Artist Andy Goldsworthy Source: Kidzworld.com As someone who has always enjoyed nature and art I was thrilled to discover the art of Andy Goldsworthy. Although I've known his work since the mid-nineties he never ceases to enchant me. If you don't know who he is, prepare to be amazed. Goldsworthy is a man who enjoys the colors and textures of nature and presents them in a way you likely have never seen before. And, you don't have to be a nature-lover to appreciate his art. Rowan Leaves & Hole Source: Morning-Earth.org Goldsworthy is considered a pre-eminent "Earthworks" artist. This trend in art-making was popularized in the 1980s and 9...
Read more

Planting Fall Bulbs

There are many advantages to planting flowering bulbs in the fall. First, most bulbs are perennials . So, once you plant the bulbs they should return year after year. Also, you can plant the bulbs on a cool autumn afternoon, wait until spring or summer and enjoy. None of the heavy lifting involved with digging holes for potted plants. Fall is the best time of year to plant bulbs, before the ground freezes . Depending on where you live that could be anywhere from early October to mid November. I visited the Farmer's Almanac website and found these great tips for planting bulbs ( http://www.almanac.com/content/fall-bulb-planting-spring-blooms ). Select high quality bulbs. Cheap bulbs will likely disappoint. Larger bulbs will usually provide a larger bloom. Weed the area where you plan to put your bulbs. Plant soon after purchase. Plant your bulbs in a sunny spot. In the ground or in a planter. Either is fine. Be sure the soil drains well. Pl...
Read more

Coloring Pages - 2 Free Downloads

Need some stress relief or something to get out of a rut? Try coloring. It's all the rage right now. I've been coloring since I can remember. It is very soothing and might be exactly what you need after a hectic day. Or give to your little ones so that you can enjoy an early evening glass of wino or cup of tea while they enjoy themselves. In order to print each picture just click on each and print individually. Enjoy! If you like these I will be giving out FREE prints to kids at the Acworth ArtFest this weekend. No purchase necessary. I will be in Booth 163, right by the KidZone.    
Read more