Little girls frolic along paths of candy canes lined with chuckling chipmunks and walking teeth. Striped creatures painted on sewn, glued and seamed fabrics stare out with eyes made of thrift store plastic gem and glitter. Carrots speak wise words to girls who need hugs as darkness falls upon innocently rendered mountain tops. This imagery is characteristic of Carol Powell’s mixed media pieces. This is a world where anything can happen.
Nathan Cartwright: Carol your imagery makes Alice in Wonderland look tame… Tell me about some of the freaky imagery in your work?
Carol Powell: Haaa, freaky. The iconography I use often relates to what I’m feeling at the time, for instance the girl represents an idealized me; the person everyone wants me to be. I am not that person except in the alternate world I create. Unlike me, she’s thin, pretty, and a bad-ass dresser; though she does have my sarcastic wit. Another much older icon is Mr. Carrot. He is that “golden carrot” that you’re reaching for but can’t seem to grasp. The twist is that the carrot is a real carrot and no one knows if it’s a good or bad one.
Nathan Cartwright: I know you hate the use of word “quilt” when referring to your work. How did you get started with integrating fabric into your non-quilted work?
Carol Powell: I pulled out my sewing machine, fought the fear and began to sew things together. At first I made fabric blocks for dolls which didn’t quite work, so I decided to paint on the fabric instead. I began hand sewing images onto the fabric, later on decided to transfer my characters to fabric by means of appliqué.
Nathan Cartwright: I know you’re putting tons of time in on a new masterpiece. What do you have coming for us?
Carol Powell: The current piece I am working on is called the Floating World. It’s a large piece consisting of 200 smaller pieces that make up one image. My imagery is based off of “home”; losing home and trying to hold onto home. For me this represents everything, family, friends, and places to live, mind, soul and body. It is a subject that has been inspiring me lately on account of our countries floundering political and economic condition.
Nathan Cartwright: Your pieces appear chaotic in structure but generally have a harmonious resonance. What about composition?
Carol Powell: It usually consists of one main large image, and then smaller images or vignettes of other occurrences constellating around it.
Nathan Cartwright: Is there anything political in your work?
Carol Powell: I like political art and appreciate those who make it, like Robbie Conal, but I have never had much success with it. My opinions on politics are more on a cerebral or verbal level. I do, at times, address social issues in my work which could become political, if perceived in a certain way. I like to use the subtle intonation of my artistic voice to get a point across.