Char Norman
Urban Forest
105 N. High St.
Artist Statement
My installation directly relates to mitigation of climate change and support of the Urban Forestry Master Plan. Three-dimensional woven forms reminiscent of various tree species bring awareness to the importance of an urban forest. The weavings, constructed from natural materials in homage to environmentally sound practices, use various weave structures mimicking the textured bark of different tree species. Densely woven areas contrast with sparse areas as a metaphor for the inequities and social issues we face in our urban landscape. The woven forms gradually taper off into woven pod shapes which are ubiquitous in much of my work. These pods are representative of wombs, seed pods, and fungi denoting new growth, birth, and nurturing. The woven forms dissolve into intertwined strands, forming a tangled web much as the mycorrhizal network operates in a forest to connect and communicate from life form to life form— encapsulating the need for us to do the same.
Artist Bio
Char Norman is an accomplished fiber artist specializing in weaving, papermaking, and fiber sculpture. Her work addresses environmental issues and the enduring need for all things to exist in a symbiotic relationship with none dominant over another. She received her MFA from Claremont Graduate University and BA from Scripps College and participated in numerous residencies across the nation and abroad. She has lectured and exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally, winning numerous grants and awards. She has developed and conducted workshops for all ages, worked as a consultant to area schools and community arts organizations, and served as a trustee for Greater Columbus Arts Council. She held the positions of associate provost and dean of faculty at Columbus College of Art & Design. Now as a fulltime studio artist, she draws inspiration from her many travels and explorations of natural environments.
