Hanger
Artist
Luanne Martineau
(Canadian, born 1970)
Date2008
Mediumdyed wool, silk organza, pin-felted wool and thread
Dimensions236 × 170 × 25.5 cm
Credit LineThe Mendel Art Gallery Collection at Remai Modern. Gift of the artist 2018.
Object number2018.14
Classificationssculpture
On View
Not on viewHanger is part of a body of work the artist calls drulptures, which merge sculptural form, acknowledging gravity, and a strong attention to line, as one sees in drawing. Luanne Martineau is attracted to felt, a textile that has industrial and utilitarian functions. Felt is also associated with the body—specifically to the accumulation and matting of animal fur. Hanger contains recognizable elements and references to the body with various appendages of felted and braided forms.
Looking at gender, craft, conceptual art and art historical canons, Martineau’s practice examines the ideas of de-skilling and re-skilling, arguing that labour and intellect are not in opposition to each other. Originally from Saskatchewan, Martineau finds the legacy of the formalism prevalent at the Emma Lake Artists’ Workshops and the counter-movement of funk-inspired Regina Clay to be rich sources of critique. These two movements exemplify the critical, aesthetic and economic tensions between pure abstraction (painting) and craft (clay). Martineau’s physical process of needle felting references the virtuosity of large-scale painting.
Looking at gender, craft, conceptual art and art historical canons, Martineau’s practice examines the ideas of de-skilling and re-skilling, arguing that labour and intellect are not in opposition to each other. Originally from Saskatchewan, Martineau finds the legacy of the formalism prevalent at the Emma Lake Artists’ Workshops and the counter-movement of funk-inspired Regina Clay to be rich sources of critique. These two movements exemplify the critical, aesthetic and economic tensions between pure abstraction (painting) and craft (clay). Martineau’s physical process of needle felting references the virtuosity of large-scale painting.
