These posters were created to advertise an exhibit for the art of Gunta Stölzl. I created two variations, and ultimately chose the last as the final and best.
As the main feature on this first poster, I chose a large ‘g’ for Gunta. I chose to use only her first initial because, while her last name changed several times in her life, she was Gunta from beginning to end. The image behind the letter mask is a tapestry I created in homage to her work, using similar colors to a particular tapestry of hers. I strung warp threads on a ‘y’ shaped branch, then wove yarn and flowers onto it. The flowers and berries represent the theme of ‘life’ woven into the ‘art’. I’m pretty proud of that concept and how it turned out. I also really love how the theme and tagline turned out, with the words interwoven to represent, of course, the weaving Gunta did. This concept started out very straight up and down and centered, so I surprised myself when I threw everything off-kilter and added the wavy text. I love how it all came together.
Of all the work I did on this project, I think I’m most proud of this image. I printed an image of one of Gunta’s tapestries onto some fabric, them embroidered this outline based on a photograph of Gunta at her first communion. The confidence of her stance and the way she holds the candle like a sword symbolizes her bold approach to life and art. The fabric and thread that I used to create this image are a direct representation of her work in fibers and textiles, and the light she’s holding represents her example and leadership in art and in life. She wasn’t an artist who kept the secrets of her art clenched in miserly fists, she shared and taught so many others. The brush strokes that I used to mask the image represent ‘art’, without taking away from the girl in the center representing ‘life’.
