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About
“I am a fiber artist who focuses on creating beautiful, highly textured work embedded with positive energy”
Bio
Kelly Darke (b. 1973) is a Metro Detroit fiber artist. She creates highly textured abstract fiber art using new and recycled material with a focus on color, texture, and composition. Darke received her BFA from WayneState University in 1996 and her M.Ed. in art therapy in 2010, which strongly influences her creative work.
She initially created abstract oil paintings before shifting to fiber art, which allows for more of the healing, tactile experience. The process of creating the abstract fiber art is a type of active meditation that is at the core of her art and art therapy work.
“Humans are creative and studies show that creative expression – making art – and even looking at artwork that we think is beautiful lights up our brain in the same area as if gazing at a loved one.”
Statement
I use new and recycled / repurposed materials to create highly textured fiber art that is hand embroidered, woven, tied, and wrapped. Since I was a child, fibers have been a source of comfort and unexplainable obsession – collecting yarn, string, and fabric before I knew what to do with it. I have always been fascinated with the colors and textures of various fibers, how they feel, and how they look next to each other. I have always felt that there must be a connection to fibers and how they made me feel. During my graduate program for art therapy, my research paper was titled: What are the therapeutic benefits of fiber art? The connections I found validated my obsession with fibers and now there is even more research in neuroscience about how making and viewing artwork benefits our emotional and physical well-being.
The layers of materials in my work also refer to the layers of ourselves – our emotions – our past, present, and future – all the things that make us who we are right now. I rarely throw away any fiber related materials because the texture feels great, the color is beautiful and as an artist I’m always certain that it could be useful. As an art therapist I wonder if my hoarding of art supplies and materials is a response to some need for comfort, my personal emotional regulation stash. Maybe it’s a combination of it all.
“Art that is both mind-blowing and mindful!
The attention to detail, stitch by stitch, bringing a 2D photograph to life is awe inspiring. Each stitch brings Kelly’s intention and energy into my home and into my presence each gaze upon her embroidery. Honored to have a piece of Kelly’s Fine Art in my home to be able to celebrate that photographic moment in an art form that Kelly executed from her unique vision is so special.”
“Kelly’s work is one of my most valued possessions. I purchased Kelly’s work on a whim in 2015. When I saw her work I was immediately struck by the emotion within each piece. Her piece entitled ‘composition study with red stripe made me feel calm and hopeful. Since purchasing this piece, I have always hung it somewhere in my home that I can see it daily. It always brings me to a place where I feel centered. I recommend Kelly’s work to anyone who loves beautiful colors and a work of art that evokes emotions from deep within one’s soul.”
“Kelly created a piece of art from fabric that was used to make my daughter’s costume for a play she was in. The creativity and thought she put into it was truly amazing. We have it displayed in our home and it makes me smile every time I look at it. It is such a beautiful way to remember the performance and the joy it brought us.”