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Sheila Hicks  Works & Projects  1958 - 2001

Since July 1999 I have been following the development of new works and projects of Sheila Hicks. At the same time I have begun to research documents and relevant information about her past- projects and exhibitions. The first show held in the Museo de Belles Artes in Santiago, Chile in 1958 to the most recent solo exhibition in March 2000 at Galerie Fanny Guillon-Laffaile in Paris. In addition I visited several countries to view her works and projects 'in situ', interviewed the artist and, where possible, interviewed collaborators involved.

In chronological order:

September 1999 (not yet written up)
Helsinki, Finland: Present at talks held between Sheila Hicks and the director of Artek, manufacturer of Alver Aalto furniture and Mr. Ilka Suppanen, architect and designer who is the leader of the Snowcrash design group. Visited the new University of Science, Technology and Design with S.H. and Peter Sjederholm, designer. Met with young textile designers and visited new showrooms, commenting with S.H.

October 1999
Japan - Kyoto, Tokyo
Met and interviewed Japanese textile artists Hiroyuki Shindo, Masakazu and Naomi Kobayashi and Jun Tomita in their villages north of Kyoto. Those artists participated in the Japanese Textile Show 'Structure and Surface' at the MOMA in 1998. (exhibition initiated by Sheila Hicks.). Met with Junichi Arai in Tokyo who collaborated with SH in the making of a stage curtain (Doncho) project for the City council in Kiryu. (I wrote a 2000 word fact sheet about this project). Met with Mr. Masami Kikuchi, research-manager of Bridgestone Metalpha Corp (manufacturer of Alphatex(Silksteel), a new stainless steel fiber developed by Sheila Hicks. Met with Chiaki Maki, weaver and long time collaborator of S.H. Met with the Shoishi Tomita family and discussed textile design and the S.H. solo exhibition held in their gallery in 1988. This trip was described in 6 documents (Letters from Japan) totalling 2000 words.

February/March 2000
Paris: oversaw and collaborated on the installing of two solo exhibitions
*3d Pavillon des Antiquaires et des Beaux Arts, Quai Branly (Febr.25 - March 5).
* Galerie Fanny Guillon-Laffaile (March 15 - April 15).
Visited Musée Galliera, Mutation/Mode 1960-2000: two large works and an essay in the catalogue by S.H. The exhibition included a video presentation of 'Basho to Spun Steel' and 'Textile Magicians'(about 5 artists involved) directed by Cristobal Zanartu, featuring Japanese textile designers.