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Debra Disman

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ARTIST BOOKS

EXHIBITIONISTA: “Stories Untold: The Book Reimagined”

May 5, 2025 By Debra Disman

I am thrilled to participate in “Stories Untold: The Book Reimagined“ at View Arts Center in Old Forge, NY.

For over five hundred years, printed books have connected us on an extraordinary level by spreading common ideas, inspiration, creativity, and knowledge. The exhibition Stories Untold: The Book Reimagined will showcase creations that transform, reference, and reimagine this widely used form, drawing inspiration from its content, history, and physicality. This includes everything from handmade books to book sculptures and beyond.

Join us for an Opening Reception on May 23, from 5 – 7 pm. The reception is free and open to the public.

I am delighted to show: “The Body Politic: Like White on White”, 2024, 9 x 16 x 7″, book board, paint, canvas, hemp/assorted cord, trim
                     

Juror of Selection: Rhoda Rosenberg

In 1979 Rosenberg was a Finalist in Printmaking for a Massachusetts Council on the Arts Grant. In 2003, she was recognized for outstanding teaching with School of the Museum of Fine Art’s Russel T. Smith Award, and has received a SMFA’s Faculty Enrichment Grant for her work in South Africa.  In 2005 she received a grant from the Artist Resource Trust Grant at the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, and an Atlantic Papers Materials Award at Boston Printmakers North American Print Biennial in 2007.

Despite a demanding teaching schedule, Rosenberg has exhibited prints and artist’s books in numerous shows every year since 1979. A master printmaker, Rosenberg owns and operates the Merrimac Printmaking Studio out of her home in Merrimac, MA.

 

Tagged With: ARTIST BOOKS, Book, Book as Art, Books as Sculpture, Handmade Books, Rhoda Rosenberg, Sculptural Books, Stories Untold: The Book Reimagined, The Body Politic: Like White on White, View Art Center

PAPER Is In The Air…

February 18, 2025 By Debra Disman

The proverbial scent of paper is in the air!

I am delighted to be showing in two exhibitions focussed on PAPER in the months of February and March.

First up is the exhibition “PAPER” is presented online February 13, 2025 – March 13, 2025 by Site: Brooklyn

SEE THE SHOW HERE!

The 20th century marked the peak, and subsequent decline, of paper’s dominance over everyday life. “Paperwork” is still a near-universal experience, but like everything else, has taken a more-and-more virtual form. Paper, unlike most artistic mediums, is a substrate first and artistic medium second. Created from textile waste, paper is woven very deeply into the fabric of modern life. It can be equally associated with the transformation of work, easy replication, industriousness, disposability, creativity, and experimentation. Since its invention, these qualities have encouraged artists to prepare, design, and experiment on paper. Ironically, it was in the later part of the 20th century when artists like Dorothea Rockburne. Ed Ruscha, and Robert Rauschenberg took the investigations of the Cubists into papier collé and developed paper as both a physical object, and a subject. Site:Brooklyn is looking for works that continue and expand this tradition.

Exhibition Juror, Rachel Gladfelter  is the Director at Pace Paper. Previously, she was the gallery director for the Pace Prints NYC, a fine art print gallery specializing in original, limited-edition prints in collaboration with printmaking affiliates, Pace Editions and Pace Paper. Before that, Gadfelter held the position of Studio Director for Dieu Donne Paper.

I am deighted to show “Excavation of the Interior”, 2021, 12 x 28 x 12.5″, wood, paper, cloth, hemp cord, linen thread

Curatorial Statement: Rachel Gladfelter
Paper is an exhibition that brings together 42 artists working within this versatile medium.  Ranging from intimate collaged ink drawings like Christopher Miller’s Dog Sitting to Svetlana Grigoryeva’s earthy and tactile Breathing of Bark, paper promotes ideas as expansive as its material capability.

Ancient and versatile, paper has historically acted as a carrier, allowing the sharing of ideas, image and word.  With the advent of exploratory papermaking studios and residency spaces in the mid to late 20th century, artists began creating work within the medium itself, bringing new energy and innovation.  Paper’s potential is infinite as both substrate and essential substance.  

As a substrate, it is luring.  To quote Ellsworth Kelly, “When I see a white piece of paper, I feel I’ve got to draw.  And drawing, for me, is the beginning of everything.”  As a medium in and of itself, the ability to create new ideas from the raw materials of fiber and water has a romantic tactility.  Paper can be additive: poured, painted and brushed.  It can be constructed into a new form.  It can be a lightweight shell of an object, or it can be a solidly cast shape.  It can be wrapped around an armature, and it can be cut, torn or shredded.  Paper can be painted on, photographed, crumpled up, eaten, heard, touched, twisted, drawn on, printed on and carried in protest.  It is fragile yet resilient.  It transports history, stories and secrets.  It moves as easily in a systematic mail system as in the unpredictable wind.  Paper is responsive.  It is historical and present, bringing life and purpose to ideas.  Paper is an analogue in a digital age.   The works in Paper share the significance of this medium’s intimacy and clear purpose in its utilization; albeit shown in a digital exhibition. The artists exhibited create works where paper is intrinsic to their ideas around themes of pattern, nature, politics, structure, and memory.  Each wall highlights one of these motifs. – Rachel Gladfelter

Site:Brooklyn Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting the current practice of contemporary artists. We are taking Site:Brooklyn online with a new series of interactive exhibitions. Our goal remains the same, to connect artists with an expert and diverse set of jurors through the open call format. Our new program focuses on online open call exhibitions, selected by a cast of new jurors, solo artist features, and spotlights.

SEE THE “PAPER” SHOW HERE!

In March I will be showing in the exhibition CUT/FOLD/PRESS, presented at Craft Alliance, and juried by the renowned Buzz Spector. More to come on this in another post!

Filed Under: ARTISTS, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Exhibitions, Presentations, TEXTILE/FIBER, Textiles/Fiber/Cloth, Venues, Work Tagged With: ARTIST BOOKS, Brooklyn, Buzz Spector, craft alliance, Cut/Fold/Paste, Dieu Donne Paper, Group Exhibition, New York City, NY, NYC, Online Show, Pace, Pace Editions, Pace paper, Pace Prints, Pace Prints NYC, Paper, Paper in artowrks, paper show, Rachel Gladfelter, Site: Brooklyn, Site: Brooklyn Gallery, Works on and of paper, Works on paper

Open Studio Take 2

October 31, 2024 By Debra Disman

Thrilled to have my nephew Sam visiting and here for our Open Studios at 18th Street.

Thanks to Henry Graham Murray for the images!


Filed Under: Artist in Residence, ARTISTS, Artists' Books, BOOKS, Exhibitions, Presentations, TEXTILE/FIBER, Women Artists, Work Tagged With: 1653 18th Street, 18th Street Arts Center, ARTIST BOOKS, Black Sculpture, CALIFORNIA OPEN, Debra Disman, Family, Fiber, Henry Graham Murray, Installation, Sculpture, Textile, Visitors

MAKERS’ NIGHT: CRAFT CONTEMPORARY!

June 11, 2022 By Debra Disman

 

Thursday,
July 7
Maker Night:
Bookmaking with
Debra Disman
6:00PM – 8:00PM
In-Person + Outdoors
$12 | Free for Members
REGISTER
Book artist Debra Disman will teach participants basic bookmaking techniques such as folding, paper punching, and sewing to create a side-bound handsewn book! Materials will be available to customize the front and back covers of your book. Cost of program includes materials and drinks.
Advanced RSVP is required. This workshop has limited capacity, so we advise participants to arrive early to secure a spot in the workshop.
Payment is due upon arrival.

Tagged With: Art and Craft Community Programs, ARTIST BOOKS, Book Arts, Bookmaking, Community Artmaking, Craft Contemporary, Craft Museum, Craft program, Crafting in Community, Handmade Books, Makers Night, Making Books Together

Fantastical….2022!

March 29, 2022 By Debra Disman

I am honored to be participating in FANTASTIC FIBERS, (2022), an international juried exhibition that seeks to showcase a wide range of outstanding works related to the fiber medium. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of FANTASTIC FIBERS 2021, and i very much look forward to seeing (albeit online) all the works in this year’s show!

One of Yeiser Art Center’s most engaging, innovative & colorful international exhibits, Fantastic Fibers is an inspirational must-see for fine artists, quilters and textile art enthusiasts across the globe. The exhibition is comprised of contemporary and innovative works created with fiber as the primary medium or concept

The show began in 1987 as a wearable art show but has evolved over the years to include a compelling mix of traditional and non-traditional works created from natural or synthetic fibers, and work that addresses the subject or medium of fiber.

View a video of the show here!

JUROR: Matt Collinsworth
Matt Collinsworth became the new CEO of the National Quilt Museum during the summer of 2021.  Matt attended Georgetown College in central Kentucky and received his MFA from Ohio State.  He has been directing nonprofit organizations since 1998 and museum’s and other cultural organizations since 2003.  Matt has served as Director of the Kentucky Folk Art Center, Senior Director of Cultural Outreach at Morehead State University, Interim Director of the Lexington Art League, and Director of the National Music Museum.  Matt has curated and co-curated dozens of exhibitions that have appeared at museums and galleries across the country, including national and international traveling shows. He also produced numerous major exhibition catalogs, overseen large cultural events, and led several facility renovation projects. Matt lives in Paducah’s Lowertown Arts District with his wife, Kelly, his son, Eli, and (when she’s home from college) his daughter, Brynn.

I am especially thrilled to be showing “Excavation of the Interior”, a work completed in 2021, made of wood, mulberry paper, watercolor paper, muslin, canvas, hemp cord and linen thread.



Artist Amy Usdin photographs the show!


Exterior/Closed


Interior/Open


Interior/Detail


Exterior/Closed


Exterior/Spine-Back

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Amy Usdin, ARTIST BOOKS, Book as Art, Books as Sculpture, Contemporary and innovative works created with fiber, Contemporary Art, Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Contemporary Artist, FANTASTIC FIBERS 2022, Fiber, Fiber Art, Group Show, International Exhibition, Juried Shows, Matt Collinsworth, Sculptural Book, Textile, Textile Art, Textiles, Textles, Yeiser Art Center

2021 Los Angeles Open at TAG

June 24, 2021 By Debra Disman

TAG Gallery Proudly Presented
The 2021 Los Angeles Open, 
May 11 — June 5

This year, TAG celebrated local area artists with a dedicated showcase from May 11-June 5 in our Sky Gallery in the upstairs loft at TAG.
I was honored to be included.

Participating artists included:
Mariko Bird, Milan DelVecchio, L. Aviva Diamond, Debra Disman, David Emmett, Taz Essa, Pat Shafer Falkner, Tony Gangitano, Daniela Garcia, Kyoung Han, Andy Hann, Gina Herrera, Tom Lasley, Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Monica Marks, J.D. Mathes, Nelson Munares, Vojislav Radovanovic, Brian Reynolds, Emily Sunez, & Michael Usher.

Each artist had 48 inches of linear wall space to highlight their work. In a novel concept, artists collaborate with TAG’s in-house team of artist curators and staff to build each display.


Textile, fiber, zipper string


“Steppin'”, “Facing Darkness”, “White Zip” on wall, and “BedTime Story” (on pedestal).


“Ellipse” with the work of L. Aviva Diamond.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Artists' Books, BOOKS, Exhibitions, Work Tagged With: "The Poetics of the Handmade" - Alma Ruiz, 2021 LA Open Exhbition, ARTIST BOOKS, Contemporary Art, Contemporary Art Openings, Fiber, Group Exhibition, Group Shows, Handmade, L. Avivia Diamond, LA Art Opening, Local LA Artists, Los Angeles Artists, Sky Gallery, Tag Gallery, Textiles, The handmade

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