Christopher King

Large Woven Panel #2

Inspired by: Unknown artist, Tapa Cloth John Willis, Recycled Realities 1 Evelyn Rydz, Gulf Pile

flat wool braid and round polyester rope weaving

less than 36″ x 36″ x 90″ in volume

2023

I upcycle textile waste into custom fabric, clothing, blankets, sound absorbing panels, and hammocks, using input material otherwise destined for the landfill. Large Woven Panel #2 is made from polyester upholstery fabric edge trim and the remnants of a braided wool rug. This panel, suspended, creates a two person hammock, giving a useful and valued second life to manufacturing byproduct and bulky household waste. This piece joins Gulf Pile and Recycled Realities #1 in a global effort to raise environmental awareness and serves as a local example of how waste materials can be made useful. As a finished product, Large Woven Panel #2 is similar to a hand knitted blanket from a grandparent. Initially warmed by the gift, later in life the grandchild is embraced by the memory of the grandparent when wrapped in the blanket. This blanket becomes a family treasure and heirloom, similar to the Tapa Cloth.

@kingchrisg

Christopher King

American Hubcap

Up-cycled textile rope woven on found plastic hubcap

17” x 2.5”

2023

American Hubcap is an experiment in converting landfill-bound textile waste and “found on the side of the road” hubcaps that are not objects of interest by weaving multicolored rope between hubcap spokes. I draw a white star in a blue, then red field. The red rope appears in 13 lengths as in circle of stars representing the original states. American Hubcap is a prototype created in preparation for the 2023 Art in the Park installation, Woven Hubcaps, at Elm Park in Worcester, MA.

@kingchrisg

Christopher King

Cherry Stick Mobile

cherry tree sticks tied with half knots in waxed black cotton cord

10” x 10” x 1/2”

2022

Trimming trees around a home in the city necessary to keep from becoming overgrown, happily yields fresh supplies for weft in woven and macrame mobiles. The rich bark color of the cherry tree inspired me to create this piece, reminiscent of the Mandarin character for beauty.

@kingchrisg

Christopher King

Woven Circular Net

upcycled polyester fabric strips

48” x 25”

2023

This work is a triple thickness, continuous, circular net, woven with polyester rope up-cycled from excess upholstery fabric cut into strip. The displayed form indicates the intended end use as apparel.

@kingchrisg

Christopher King

General Utility Non-Theorizing Environmental Control Pullover

woven fabric twine and cotton yarn

22″ long x 36″ wide x 7″ thick

2022

I experiment with up cycling materials into artwork, clothing, and sculpture. I use polyester and non-woven textile waste torn into long strips, twisted into twine, then woven with cotton yarn to form thick, flexible, and unique fabrics. These fabrics are hand sewn with twine joining selvedge loops to form this comfortable pullover. To me, the arms are reminiscent of those of The Robot in the 1960’s television series, Lost In Space, thus, the title of this work.

@kingchrisg

Christopher King

Raspberry Chenille/Macrame Button Drizzle

Inspired by: David Seltzer, Sea Salt/Lemon Sage

macrame with nylon cord and buttons attached to a woven rayon chenille panel

25” x 12”

2024

I am inspired to make “tasty art” by Sea Salt/Lemon Sage, “… inviting the viewer to yield to sensory stimulation …” From secondhand, stash-house chenille yarn, I found a thick, sherbet raspberry weft and wove it into a multicolored warp to create the base layer. I decorated with two strands of macrame button drizzle, one with a spiraling half knot, the other with a four strand braid, both with inherited buttons. A dragon shape can be seen in some orientations. Functionally a table runner, this weaving brings joy to the table, inviting the diner to sample visually and through touch.

@kingchrisg