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K-State Today

July 17, 2013

Sweden native artist exhibits free-form crochet at Union

Submitted by Maggie Stephens

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View abstract, free-form crochet works in "Fiber Lines On Canvas" from Sweden-born Berit Bihl from July 24-Aug. 9 in the William T. Kemper Art Gallery at the K-State Student Union.

After several years of traditional3-D sculpting, Bihl began to work with the bas-relief, lines, shapes and forms found in free-form crochet. Her recent work features a merger of crocheting, stitching, knitting, sewing, embroidery and weaving with her academic training.

Bihl completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting in 1972 at K-State. She continued her studies at K-State for a Master of Arts in painting in 1979. Following her stay in Manhattan, Bihl studied sculpture at the University of Houston for a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture. Her work has been displayed in group and solo exhibitions across the country as well as internationally in Sweden and Switzerland.

"When drawing with yarn, the lines that appear in the shadows cast by the high relief like stones and bones are, for me, a natural connection with the earth," Bihl said. "Fine sculptural work has been done with curious media used in juxtaposition with unexpected materials. I am seeking an image both with the familiar as well as the new, both the abstract and the concrete, through tangible media production with significant shape and form."

Sponsored by Union Program Council, the exhibit is free and open to the public. The Kemper Gallery is on the first floor of the Union and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For a complete list of all Union Program Council activities, visit k-state.edu/upc or call the office at 785-532-6571.