Wisdom Cloak: The Mentors by Helen Geglio
Wisdom Cloak: Invisible Visionary by Helen Geglio
Wisdom Cloak: The Oracle by Helen Geglio
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Art treats us to the extraordinary. In the hands of exceptional artists, common materials experience a new life. Helen Geglio (pronounced Gee-lee-oh) is one such creative, taking the fabrics and threads of daily life and fashioning them into works that open our eyes to new vistas. Often using repurposed clothing and domestic linens, Geglio reworks textiles that were made, used, and maintained by the hands of other women. Traditional hand stitching and embroidery bind the work together, both literally and figuratively.
As the title of the exhibition suggests, these works offer us strength and solace. As Geglio explains, current events have made her “mindful of the need to protect ourselves and protect the ideas and principles we value.” Her cloaks shield us from the environment, whether physical or conceptual. Under these reimagined garments, made from the cast-offs, we can find a quiet refuge. In that place of safety, we can hear our wisdom and gather our strength.
Drawing largely on the lives of women for inspiration, each of Geglio’s works tells its own story of resilience, determination, and generosity. In Invisible Visionary, she focuses our attention on older women who are often undervalued and over- looked. Geglio celebrates the ability of these elders to envision a more just and peaceful future. Similarly, in The Oracle, Geglio reflects on women who speak truth, counsel with wisdom, and predict change. As Geglio describes the work, “This woman is truly cloaked in wisdom, and dwells among us.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Geglio earned her BFA in Studio Art at the University of Michigan, Stamps School of Art and Design, and holds an MS in Education from Indiana University, South Bend. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States. Originally from Michigan, she lives and works in South Bend, Indiana.
EXHIBITION GALLERY
