Kemp, LaVerne, Rusted Garden, 2022, mixed media fiber with custom wrought iron stand, 104 x 74 x 18 inches; "This piece is a collaboration between myself and John of Iron Eden based in Pittsburgh. I always believed that there was a kind of “marriage” between our work because he works with leaves and vines and flowers like I do. Whenever I needed an interesting rod for a quilt or wall hanging that was “tree” related I would call John and he always had what I needed or would make it for me. When I was working on my piece for the show that Women of Visions had at the Carnegie for our 40th anniversary earlier this year I called John and he had the beautiful stands that “Rusted Garden" is resting on and he also made the rusted leaves growing out of the garden. As I was making this piece I couldn't help but realize that it resembles my garden with all of its rusted beauty. Rusted Garden’s background is handwoven with hand dyed green and teal yarn. The flowers, pods and spirals are hand crocheted, the vines are hand wrapped, and the leaves are hand dyed and stitched as well as the felted ball accents in the flowers." Artist Bio: LaVerne’s career as a premiere Pittsburgh-based weaver and fiber artist spans the past 4 decades. She is known for her vibrant use of color and textures in her Art-to-Wear clothing, accessories, large wall hangings and other work. While still a student at California State College now California University of Pennsylvania, she began a tree related series which has become a signature theme in her art. It has especially taken root in her larger works, a collection that continues to grow. The trees are hand-coiled and often have hand-felted leaves with meticulous beadwork. These pieces of art can range anywhere from 9 inches to 9 feet tall. As a teaching artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, LaVerne shares her art with students of every age from preschoolers to senior citizens. Her residencies are often held in various school districts and in community-based programs throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. When not teaching, LaVerne is an active member of Women of Visions, The Craftsmans Guild of Pittsburgh and the FIberarts Guild. LaVerne has a weaving studio in Highland Park at the Union Project. Mentored by international sculptor Selma Burke at its founding, Women of Visions has sustained 40 years in the city of Pittsburgh as the only non-profit collective of African American women visual artists. Women of Visions mounts group and collaborative exhibitions, teaches classes to people of every generation, and networks to build relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside the city of Pittsburgh. The members of Women of Visions represent a diverse range of lifestyles and artistic experiences; thus rich and varied expressions of personal, social, and political views are presented in each exhibition the group organizes. Over the course of 40 years, Women of Visions has continued to nurture and support professional and emerging women artists of color, and to bring to the general public the full richness and scope of our cultural heritage. Currently, Women of Visions is the oldest women’s organization of its kind in the country. They have experienced the years of both revolution and evolution. Now, with the country’s historic placement of a woman of color in the role of Vice President of the United States, this historic organization seeks ways to push themselves and their art to the next level. As part of their growth strategy, Women of Visions has inducted 16 new members in one year, amplified their mission with ground-breaking exhibitions, and are poised to pass on their legacy of establishing “excellence in the visual arts” to the next generation of African American women. In 2021, Women of Visions was awarded the title of “American Cultural Treasure” by the Ford Foundation and Heinz Foundation. For more information visit womenofvisionspgh.org. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .