Joan Wortis – Artist Statement
My creative life has taken a number of different twists and turns. It began in dance and choreography, then moved to hand weaving, textile design and finally 25 years ago, while living in Japan, I found collage, monoprint and folded painted textiles which are my current work. These pieces are much informed by my travels in Asia and of course by the paths and choices of my life.
Dance has given me an eye for forms moving rhythmically in space but my dancers now are visual symbols of language from many cultures. I am drawn to their beauty and hidden meanings which brings me to work with them over and over again in abstract, layered and asymmetrical ways.
A body of work starts with materials I have printed, papers I’ve collected and fabrics that are part of my life. These I lay down on my work table and then move, alter, layer and reshuffle. Ideas take hold, guided by my eye or my hand, or perhaps both, working intuitively rather than in a fully planned manner. This journey continues to be absorbing and fascinating, one that gives my life great meaning and pleasure.