Debra Disman

Artist

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Publications/Interviews

Inspired by the Story Quilts of Faith Ringgold

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Keeping the FAITH through “Story Quilting”!

I am thrilled to be teaching MAKING ART INSPIRED BY GREAT ARTISTS  at Grant and McKinley Elementary Schools in the Santa Monica Public School System through the CREST Enrichment program.

After a span of two years, teaching live and in-person is exciting and energizing. The students are enthusiastic, helpful and creative and IMAGINATIVE and the parents and staff supportive and engaged.

Everyone is working together to make in-person teaching a safe and rewarding experience. Despite the challenges and great energy required, what fun to see these young artists exercise their imaginations, play, learn and create!

Students responded positively to our “Story Quilt” project, inspired by the Great Artist, Faith Ringgold.
Put cloth in their hands, and away they go!

Joyous play and exploration of fabric, cloth scrap, felt (actually made of acrylic- durable!) and tacky glue!

West Valley Regional Branch Library Artist Residency CULMINATION 2022!!

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I just recently completed my  Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs.
 
I and the Staff at West Valley would like to share the Residency activities with you, and so I have created a Power Point Presentation  highlighting the workshop projects, themes and events as part of our CULMINATION EVENT!

Please click here:
CULMINATION_WVRBL_2021-22
You may also view the video version of this presentation on You Tube by clicking here.  ENJOY.

Artist Residency CULMINATION 2022!!

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I just recently completed my  Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs.
 
I and the Staff at West Valley would like to share the Residency activities with you, and so I have created a short PowerPoint video highlighting the workshop projects, themes and events as part of our CULMINATION EVENT!
Please click on the arrow key below and enjoy seeing the bookmaking projects our marvelously creative participants have learned and created!  You may also view the video on You Tube by clicking here.  ENJOY.

 

Video Player

Six of the Best Interview Questions: Interviewed on Philip Hartigan’s PRAETERIA blog

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Today I share my interview with artist and writer Philip Hartigan, a  regular contributor to Hyperallergic for 7 years. on his blog,

PRAETERITA

where he talks about art, interviews other artists, and more.

“Part 42 of an interview series in which artists reply to the same six questions. Debra Disman makes sculptural objects from a combination of materials that can be read as fiber art, yet also imply book forms. Her work is  a mesmerizing combination of materials, textures, and forms that are combined with exceptional skill. You can see more of her work here.”

https://philiphartiganpraeterita.blogspot.com/2022/04/six-of-best-debra-disman.html

This was fun!

Check out Philip’s work on his insta and site!

Thank you Philip!

 

Studio Notes: Texture Tactility Tactile Textile

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Today I am sharing some explorations into “tactile textiles,”, a term coined, as  understand it, by Anni Albers, tactile textile artist/weaver!

Such works and materials become spaces, places, rooms, lands, terrain, forests…tactile explorations into the unknown, guided by, among other things, the sense of touch, a tactile sensibility.

 

Detail of “Forest Through The Trees”, book board, hemp cord, wood, canvas, acrylic paint, used typewriter ribbon, ribbon

Test piece/sample, paper, jute cord

Detail of “It’s Not Black or White”,  book board, mulberry paper, used typewriter ribbon

Detail of “FruitFull” (in process), textile samples, hemp cord

Stacked pieces of “to the trade” folded textile samples


Stacked pieces of repurposed and folded denim cut from jeans

“Collective Acts of Peace / Actos colectivos de paz” at 18th Street Art Center

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I am thrilled to participate in: Collective Acts of Peace / Actos colectivos de paz, an exhibition of 18th Street Arts Center in the Slipstream Gallery, at the Airport Campus. curated by Frida Cano.

“Artists in residence at 18th Street Arts Center are pleased to present Collective Acts of Peace, a selection of 18th Street projects with the aim of exploring different embraces of the creative mind in the midst of an endless global pandemic. Featuring the work of Alexandra Dillon, Ameeta Nanji, Crystal Michaelson, Daniela Schweitzer, David McDonald,  Debra Disman, Doni Silver Simons, Joan Abrahamson, Joan Wulf,  Julia Michelle Dawson, Labkhand Olfatmanesh, Lola del Fresno, M Susan Broussard, Melinda Smith Altshuler, Rebecca Youssef, and Susie McKay Krieser,  this artist-led project is on view in the Slipstream Galleries 18th Street Arts Center’s Airport Campus (3026 Airport Ave, Santa Monica) from March 14 – June 4, 2022. The exhibition highlights the connections among creatives who strive to make this a better world for all living beings, humans and non-humans alike.”

I am showing my triptych: “RENT WOUND TEAR, MEND HEAL REPAIR” in dialogue with artist Joan Wulf‘s works on view from her “Ruminations” series.


Debra Disman, “Rent Wound Tear, Mend Heal Repair”, 2022. Mixed media: canvas/acrylic paint/hemp cord/string. Exhibition view of “Collective Acts of Peace” at 18th Street Arts Center’s Airport Campus Slipstream Galleries. March 15 – June 4, 2022. Photo by Marc Walker.

Explore the show and accompanying events here!

I will be participating on this panel, with artist David McDonald on May 22nd!

JOIN US!!!!