Laura Shea
Artists
Laura Shea
Artist
Colorado, USA
Statement
My work explores complex polyhedral structures and polygon formations stitched with beads and thread. My repertoire includes classic geometric forms, whole and partial frame polyhedra, regular tilings, and tessellations. I connect the component forms at contiguous polygonal faces and edges to create chains, sculptural polyhedra and tilings. The open networks of tilings and frame polyhedra provide a magical space for light to play with crystal and glass beads scattering refracted light and creating intriguing substantial and insubstantial patterns.
Artworks
One Hundred and Eight Mini Mandalas
49 x 45 cm
Beadwork: Triangle stitch using size 15 seed beads and Nymo thread
2019-2020
A compilation of one hundred-eight regular triangle tilings within hexagonal outlines. The triangle stitch consists of three beads per side/edge. None of the patterns repeat. Most are symmetric in at least 180 degrees. One pattern is not centered in its hexagon. I left it as a God bead. Can you spot it? I experimented with a few patterns. And the project took on a life of its own. I chose a limit of one hundred-eight as a stopping point. (One hundred-eight faces of God, one hundred-eight beads to a mala.) The hexagons required three or more hours of work each and another six weeks to outline them.
I am challenging myself to find a second set of one hundred-eight patterns, with a more complex color scheme using a different polygon shape.