Artlink Contemporary Gallery is pleased to present Cultivate, Grow and Nourish, a solo exhibition by Hannah Burnworth of North Manchester, IN.

Artist Statement
Cultivate, Grow, and Nourish

Paper plants designed to celebrate women and their roles in fostering growth.

My latest body of work explores my obsession with the vessel. The deep and long-standing relationship between the vessel, the body, the feminine and the spiritual intrigues me. Mothers become vessels, carrying their children within them before birth. Afterward, they carry hope, responsibility, laundry and milk.  They anoint. They nourish. They carry joy. They pour-out, dry-up, and refill. Mother’s protect and water the seed. Over time, something grows from the seeds planted by mothers. Each vessel and paper plant in this exhibition is a unique expression and celebration of that growth. Women become the nourishers of children, grandchildren, students, friends, mentees and all kinds of folks. 

As a new mother I combed the internet for information about feeding, sleeping and teaching. When I finally closed the computer and held my baby close I found clarity in my intuition. My artistic process mimics my experience with motherhood.  My compositions are intuitive. Handmade papers and threads are added as a reaction to the piece I placed directly before. There is no manual, no one set of rules. Sometimes the making feels just right and sometimes it feels like no matter how much I layer, it will never make sense. However, if I trust my intuition, the composition will eventually come together. As the paper pieces are assembled I begin to add the stitching. The stitched lines represent my daily pouring out and refilling, weaving and bobbing through my day, while somehow holding it all together. The stitches heal and repair. 

These vessels and plants are designed and redesigned. They include precise drawings, loose painting, controlled paper patterns, and alluring threads. They are a melting pot of techniques; full sun and shade and watering after dark.   They include recycled work of my own children and students. The pieces  remind me of those who have nourished and provoked growth. My larger pieces are named after these women. I asked, “What, in your opinion, is the most important thing (or things) you have done to nourish others in your life and foster their growth?”  

As you read, perhaps you will consider your own growth or how you will foster growth in others.  

Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, May 4 from 5-8 pm!

About the Artist
Hannah Burworth is the artist behind Milk House Studio. Burnworth has degrees in both art education and studio art. She has been teaching in both public schools and through private workshops for over 14 years. In addition to teaching, Burnworth loves to create all things paper. Her handmade books, collage, and paper works celebrate creativity and design, bringing together a love for texture, color, nature and the beauty of everyday life. Burnworth has shown her work regionally and nationally.