Nancy Giesberger

Artist Statement

The driving force of my life in textiles has been a passion for light reflective surfaces, layers of translucent color, and color gradations. Years of experimentation with unusual materials, coupled with a deep respect for the loom and fabric structure, have defined my work. The purchase of a TC2 jacquard hand loom changed my creative life, making possible the actualization of images in my mind’s eye. Reference photographs are no longer relevant or needed. The artwork for weaving comes from what I am able to create using my own imagination and the computer.

My technical partner, Alfred Ajami, and I have developed completely new woven effects beyond the lexicon of known weaves. These “unstructured”, mathematically generated abstract constructs replace traditional structures, which are otherwise thought of as foundational to weaving. This innovation is only possible because of the symbiosis between

the jacquard loom, the computer, and the generative code linking them.

Another captivating feature of abstract unstructured weaves is the spectrum of color effects, especially with metallic yarns. Unstructured weaves cause light to be scattered, so they respond differently to viewing and illumination angles. The optical mixing differs from the actual yarn colors in unique and unpredictable ways. Also, different colors do not blend (the way paint does) but lie next to each other, resulting in colored areas that are impossible to describe. One of my guiding principles is to create works that cannot be done any other way than in textiles. Unstructured weaves make this goal achievable. When you look at my textile art, please note the richness and light reflectivity of the textures. They were woven with just three weft colors, yet the overall look suggests a broader spectrum of coloration. Unstructured weaves did the trick. Exploring jacquard possibilities is both thrilling and challenging. Every day in my studio offers the potential for a new discovery that expands the boundaries of woven textiles. Abstract unstructured weaves, generative art, and the Jacquard hand loom are all part of this new frontier. More: Bio Sketch