Bio:
Becky Knold has held a lifelong love of art. It was not until 2006, however, when she retired, that she was able to seriously pursue that interest. Previously, she had earned a degree in Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (’70), a Master’s Degree from Seattle Pacific University (’84), and taught in public schools in Seattle, Redmond, and Olympia, as well as at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. Upon retirement, she enrolled in several art classes at The Evergreen State College, graduated from Artist Trust’s EDGE Program, and began to participate locally in art organizations and activities. A belief in the idea that “art is essential” continues to motivate her.
Knold’s work has been shown in galleries and educational settings, as well as in public and private spaces in the Pacific Northwest. A collection of her paintings was recently purchased by the Washington State Arts Commission and is installed at The Evergreen State College. UW Medicine has also purchased Knold’s work for their new clinic in Olympia. Notably, she has had shows at Lower Columbia College (Longview), Pierce College (Puyallup), Tacoma Community College (Gig Harbor), Salon Refu (Olympia), B2 Gallery (Tacoma), Ryan James Fine Art Gallery (Kirkland), Vashon Center for the Arts, and The WA Department of Ecology.
Artist Statement:
“Constructions I, II, and III”, my pieces in the 2020 South Puget Sound Regional Show, are, as the titles suggest – constructions. They are made from cardboard (recycled packing boxes - torn, cut, painted, re-assembled and glued together.) For an artist who usually paints on paper, canvas, and panels, this is a departure; the rationale is a desire to re-focus my personal attention on the creative process itself- i.e. the pure pleasure of it, the excitement of experimentation, and the meditative, soul-soothing satisfaction of “making”. My interest here is in composition, design, balance of forms, positive and negative shapes, and the layering, construction, and reassembling of pieces.
Like most artists, I am (usually) concerned that my materials and methods are of high quality, and durable enough to stand the test of time. I know there are “rules” about such things. But I also know there are times when an artist personally NEEDS to break those rules by using materials uniquely suited to the moment; not necessarily to preserve anything for posterity.
For the development of my Cardboard Art Project, I have been influenced by artists who are known for their experimental methods and non-traditional materials, including:
Hannelore Baron (use of discarded, found, and reclaimed materials)
Mark Bradford (technique of reductive collage)
Adolph Gotlieb (development of meditative imagery)
Robert Motherwell (boldly juxtaposed forms)
Gee’s Bend quilters (free-form patterns, non-precious materials with personal history)
Eva Hesse (space and sculptural dimension, experimental attitude and materials),
Henri Matisse (paper cutouts, simplicity, joy)
Anselm Kiefer (embedded organic textures & materials)
Finally, I should add that I continue to nurture and find inspiration from my longtime interest in Asian cultures and arts. The richness of visual pattern, design, and meaning in these cultures has indelibly influenced my own, personal artistic style and thinking.