By Guilianna Laurain
Sculptor Amanda Browder visited SUNY Plattsburgh to talk about her colorful, building-sized fabric installations and the people who helped make them happen. The event, held in Yokum Hall, on Tuesday, April 29, was part of the college’s spring Visual Artist Series and brought together students, artists and community members curious about her bold, collaborative work.
Browder, who’s based in Brooklyn, has created more than 25 large-scale installations around the world. She doesn’t do it alone, each project is made with the help of local volunteers, many of whom have never touched a sewing machine before. Over the years, she’s worked with over 5,000 people, hosting public sewing sessions in schools, libraries and even churches.
“Public sewing gigs are a way to get institutions, specifically art institutions, to get outside of their space and move out to the community,” Browder said.
She said her goal is to make art feel welcoming, accessible and fun, especially in places that don’t normally see themselves as part of the contemporary art world.
She shared stories from her recent project “Razzle Dazzle” in Sioux City, Iowa, which wrapped six buildings in bright patterned fabric. It took over 600 volunteers and 90 public sewing days to pull off.
Browder recalled a woman who donated fabric anonymously and later recognized it during a sewing day. It had belonged to her grandmother and had been used to make a childhood costume.
“So another part of these projects are the stories, the very specific, heartfelt moments that come from fabric, and the nostalgia that we kind of see through pattern and textile design,” Browder said.
Like many artists, Browder had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of her in-progress projects had to hit pause for more than a year. She found creative ways to keep people connected.
“I was like, ‘Let’s have a meeting on Zoom like everybody’s doing. We’ll all wear our fabric masks, which everybody was doing.’ And then I said, ‘Hold up your favorite piece of fabric’ and we made this virtual quilt,” Browder said
Browder made it clear that her art is never just about her, it’s about the ‘we’ behind each piece. The students and community members in the room walked away with a look at how art can truly bring people together stitch by stitch.
