Barbara Shaiman
FIBER AND MIXED MEDIA ARTIST
Artist Statement
Barbara Shaiman is a mixed-media sculptor whose work references our natural environment and the effect of human activity on it. The vegetation (especially roots, vines, branches and trees), waterways and rock-forms found in the Northwest play a pivotal role in her imagery and ideas. Hallmarks of the work include evocative lines, polychromy and the use of recycled and upcycled materials.
In the past few years, Shaiman, a ceramic artist for most of her career, began to focus more energy on working with fabric, wire and other assorted media, though ceramics are still sometimes evident.
An avid environmentalist, Shaiman is aware of the terrible record of the fabric industry for polluting the air, ground, and especially water. Wanting to avoid contributing to this pollution, she made the decision to use upcycled materials in her work. Her network of friends, neighbors and fellow artists have contributed to this decision by donating unwanted clothing.
About Barbara Shaiman
Barbara Shaiman returned to her original calling as a ceramic artist after 24 years at Seattle Art Museum where she was Director/Curator of SAM Gallery. During 12 years of that time, she also curated quarterly art exhibits at Seattle’s Alexis Hotel.
Since leaving SAM, Barbara’s focus has been on her mixed-media sculpture which references our natural environment and the effect of human activity on it. After two years working primarily with ceramics, in her Pioneer Studio she shifted, exploring fabric, wire and acrylic paint. Her current Tangle and Entangled series employ upcycled fabric and wire to create nature-based wall sculptures.
Before joining the SAM staff, Barbara taught studio art classes in NYC at Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Museum Art School, at Hawthorne Studio in Missoula, Montana, and, in Seattle, at Seward Park Arts Center and Bellevue College. She was also a studio ceramic artist and the owner/director of Shaiman Gallery, a local contemporary fine crafts and design gallery. Her ceramics were featured in many regional and national exhibits as well as several books and magazines.
