Lenore Tawney: Signs on the Wind: Postcard Collages

by Holland Cotter, George Erml (Photographer), Holland Cotter (Contributor)

Lenore Tawney (b. 1907) is recognized as one of the leading fiber artists of the twentieth century, who helped transform weaving into a new form of visual art. From the 1960s on, she also created whimsical and ingenious postcard collages. Tawney's dynamic cards, of regulation size, were sent through the mail devoid of any protective covering -- in only rare instances were instructions for special treatment, such as hand stamping, included -- to friends and family members and arrived in excellent condition, testimonial to the postal workers' appreciation of the artist's gifts.Most of the postcard collages were made entirely of paper: photographs, newspaper clippings, magazine ads, musical scores, illustrations from books, antique manuscript pages in various languages, drawings and notes in Tawney's own hand, and assorted other sources. Specific images occur regularly, encompassing animals -- from giraffes and zebras to cats and birds -- and the human element. The postcards subtly develop a range of themes, including childhood, female sexuality, masculine self-aggrandizement, and spirituality. Every collage is embedded with personal references; each card displays a weave of communicative patterns: ornamented words, postmarks, stamps, inscriptions, addresses, printed texts, in turn amusing, satirical, shrewd, and metaphorical.

Lenore Tawney -- Signs on the Wind: Postcard Collages pays homage to the talents of this unique artist, who continues to actively exhibit her innovative work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

95 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Gala · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay, so i really wanted to post the retrospective book of lenore tawney, but there's no cover image, and i hate that. so, let me say that this an artist i keep coming back to. she worked in fiber, painting and collage, and the combination of her philosophy and practice is very inspiring to me.

[Karin Bartimole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for it's simplicity and beauty. Each page holds the image of one of Lenore Tawney's exquisite collage postcards that she sent to friends through the years. Each is a visual poem or a small meditation and reminds me how much power and beauty can be held in the palm of your hand.

[Sherry (sethurner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tawney is remembered primarily as a fiber artist, but she also created strange and surrealistic postcards for many years. This little art book gives a decent biography, and has wonderful photos of her collage postcards. You might read this in connection with the Griffin and Sabine books by Nick Bantock.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book. Very inspiring.