Bear Trap is a large-scale knit textile of mylar and monofilament that features the image of a solitary bear trap, menacingly opened. When thinking about the topic of climate, I see the bear trap, an intimidating jawed device used to catch bears, as a symbol of our impact on the global environment. As a metaphor, both ourselves and generations past have set this man-made trap. Globally, we are ensnared in this grizzly maw; unable to free ourselves unless we work together. I create panels of the textile on my humble knitting machine using the nontraditional fibers of silver and black Mylar and transparent fishing line. I then stitch together the multiple panels using a sewing machine to create the large-scale piece. The pairing of the fragile mylar fibers and the strong fishing line creates a delicate and unique tapestry.
Bradley Weyandt (b. 1989, Greensburg, PA) received his BFA from Edinboro University in 2016 and received his MFA from the Ohio State University in 2022. Weyandt’s work has been included in exhibitions at The Sculpture Center of Cleveland, OH; The Ministry of Culture & Tourism and ROY G BIV Gallery of Columbus, OH; SPACE Gallery and 937 Gallery of Pittsburgh, PA; The Westmoreland Museum of American Art of Greensburg, PA; and The Erie Art Museum of Erie, PA. He lives and works in Columbus, OH.