Becca Van K

Lives and works in Catskill, NY, USA

Artist statement

My artistic spirit is committed to tenderness, reverence, generosity, and humor. I make a diverse range of objects, which includes needlepoint landscapes, fake plant sculptures, textile-covered furniture, handmade rugs, and upcycled textile collage. My practice focuses on, but is not exclusive to, the techniques of needlepoint, latch hook rug making, and macramé, which are still largely overlooked in the fine art world. The diversity of techniques in my pieces create dynamic and highly personal works. Few combine the set of techniques I use, and they are a map of my self-taught and mother-taught experiences. I take pride in the time-consuming nature of this work, and aim to create pieces that subvert conventional ideas about the function of handcrafts. I feel spiritual satisfaction in the act of repetitive handcraft as an act of meditation and creativity. My work is an amalgam of my deepest passions, drawing from the natural world, 80s/90s aesthetics, house/techno music, and comforting objects. Each series focuses on one or more of these interests. My practice is highly sensory, and listening exclusively to house and techno mixes when working puts me in a repetitious, meditative rhythm through which I transcribe my sensorial experiences of touch, sound, and sight. I exhibit my work in various forms, with a passion for immersive tactile installations of my soft sculpture, furniture, and wall works. Prior to COVID-19, these installations were touchable. I am adapting to new...

Artwork