Now and Then

Now and Then is constructed of interlocking braids of sisal. Sisal is a plant that grows in the tropics. Karen Chapnick worked dyes segments of sisal leaves for this piece, dying them while working with their natural colour. In these pieces, Chapnick sought to fuse together her colours with the natural colour of the sisal. 

Experimenting with texture and colour is Chapnick's main concern. These works may be compared to colour field paintings where the artist plays with subtle gradations of hue and tone over a large enveloping surface. The influence of impressionism can also be detected in the flickering qualities of the colour patterns. Now and Then shows the artist working with the wave-like rhythms of high and low.