My name is Bobbi
Kirk and I make beaded jewelry and mixed media fiber art. The art of beadwork has changed
dramatically in the past decade and has drawn many artists from other mediums
who have been excited by the changes happening in it. I’m one of those
artists.
Over the years, I've tramped around in
the fields of creative endeavor...starting with traditional media, then
coming upon the rather new field of digital art and finally settling in
the ancient field of beadwork...but the beadwork has been given new life
by contemporary artists who are making artistic statements with beads unlike
anything seen formerly. In short, a very old art form has been given new
life. The combination of ancient technique with contemporary meaning has
me firmly in it's grasp.
When I began doing beadwork thirteen years ago,
I'd begin a piece with the inspiration of a special bead or color I wanted
to explore. Now I begin with a very simple idea or phrase or word and the
beads I need to bring these ideas to life choose themselves. As the piece
grows, it becomes a collaboration of idea, medium and artist. It's a very
exciting way to work!
My current work is exploring basic themes
that seem to meet in each piece...one theme is the connection between people
and our connection to nature - particularly watery nature,
as manifested in oceans, bays, rivers, etc. Another is the nature of mortality, and the ways
we have tried to protect ourselves from it throughout the ages. Although my pieces are not
directly representational, they are intended to convey something of the
respect and awe I feel for the natural environment I am a part of.