Marla Panko @ Fibreworks 2014

Marla Panko WHITE FLAG BLACK FLAG 2013; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2014

Marla Panko is hot stuff these days. Her WHITE FLAG BLACK FLAG was accepted into the national textile exhibition Fibreworks 2014 and was acquired by the Cambridge Galleries for their textile collection. One of her collages graced the cover of Kolaj magazine, she had a solo show in the Dundas Valley School of Art gallery, her work was accepted into the Ontario craft exhibition Carnegie Craft 2015, and recently she had a two-person exhibition at You Me Gallery in Hamilton, Ontario. Whew! 

My photos are an injustice to the work, but you get the gist. Panko is known for her geometric paintings and her exquisite collages and now she has added stitched and pieced textiles to the mix. I wrote about her paintings and collages in 2011 and again in 2012. 

Marla Panko WHITE FLAG BLACK FLAG detail 2013; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2014

Marla Panko artist statement: "The work explores the nature of contrast and similarity–– the uniformity of white on white, juxtaposed with its homogeneous black opposite. The reference to cultural or ethnic groups is suggested through the iconography and format of flags. There are also allusions to surrender (white flag) and anarchy (black flag)."

WHITE FLAG BLACK FLAG, 2013: Wool, felt, linen, thread, acrylic

purchased by Cambridge Galleries (Idea Exchange) 2014