From micro artworks the size of your hand to mammoth, room-sized installations, the diverse women artists in A Beautiful Mess push the boundaries of their chosen medium.

About

Using rope, yarn, clay, and wire, this group of conceptual artists knot and twist their media into sculptures that range from minimal and hyper-organized to utter pandemonium. They explore personal and political ideals — order and chaos to the extreme — and freely break the rules to create their beautiful artworks. Serious about making a strong cultural and intellectual impact, this group deftly weaves their message into works that demonstrate extraordinary technical skill.

While the means of production vary tremendously for each artist featured in A Beautiful Mess, they find commonality in their pursuit to upheave the status quo. By bringing their unique stories to the forefront, these artists draw from potent source material to create sculptures and installations staggering in beauty and conceptual backing. As artist Kira Dominguez Hultgren puts it, “weaving is about strange combinations.” Whether by utilizing non-traditional materials, tapping into personal memories, or untangling complex histories, the artists in A Beautiful Mess strive to revolutionize a previously marginalized genre.

Artwork Credits

1. Wendy Chien, Circuit Board, 2021, rope, 24K gold vintage Japanese thread, synthetic chainette, 53 x 96 inches.


2. Dana Hemenway, Untitled, extension cords, wood, paint, light bulbs, power strips.


3. Liz Robb, Passage II, 2019, cotton, grout, 30 x 84 inches.


4. Dana Hemenway, Untitled, extension cords, wood, paint, light bulbs, power strips.