Jo Westfall

Ohio multimedia artist

Artist Statement:

"My visual work is resource art. It is portraiture, fiber art, and assemblage made with local materials that were discarded, overlooked, or unused. It reclaims the aesthetic capacity and utility of these items by integrating them into fresh renderings.

I began to source supplies for my textile work by collecting discarded materials. It fascinates me to reveal surprisingly fibrous qualities in castoff items by manipulating them in woven assemblages.  These are worked into wall hangings, as well as wearable designs.

I paint portraits of imperfect subjects, such as bruised produce, to invite viewers to recognize their own organic nature, that we all decay uniquely, and that we are all precious.  These are often adorned with found objects as part of their composition and framing."