Jennifer Sargent, *Learning By Layers I, 10” x 10” (love the quiet use of pick and pick in this piece!)*

As promised, this is part 2 of my posts on the recent Three Voices exhibit, featuring the work of Jennifer Sargent. Three Voices was on display throughout July at Clayton Center for the Arts, Denso Gallery, Maryville, TN in conjunction with HGA’s Convergence. Jennifer’s tapestries represented one voice among those of Tommy Scanlin and Pat Williams.

Jennifer Sargent, *Learning By Layers II,* 10” x 10”

The beauty of Jennifer’s work is in the details. Her “Layers” pieces are quite delicate and on the smaller side at 10 inches by 10 inches, but there’s so much expression and texture packed into that little space. Jennifer often uses a double warp technique where she weaves over and under two (or more?) warp threads instead of only one. In fact, the workshop she taught with ATA after Convergence was titled “Single Tapestry: Double Warped.”

Jennifer Sargent, *Recent Landscapes I,* 29” x 24”

Both of the Recent Landscape pieces in the show are larger, but again, the complexities aren’t apparent from a distance. It was wonderful to see these up close. I wish I’d gotten more detailed images as I was photographing the show to share with you. I did enlarge a section from Recent Landscapes II below.

Jennifer Sargent, *Recent Landscapes II,* 25” x 16.5”

Isn’t that just brilliant? The double warp, single warps, and open warps together create such quiet movement - with the pastel coloring- behind the bold black and white vertical tufting. That shaped edge at the bottom!

Jennifer Sargent, *Recent Landscapes II,* detail

This next one feels quite different to me. I believe Jennifer mentioned in her talk at the ATA Speaker’s Sessions that this piece is the largest she had done to date. The impact of world events and culture is a recurring theme as well as the play of geometric against organic.

Jennifer Sargent, *Sometimes a Journey Makes Itself Necessary, 27” x 51.5”*

Jennifer Sargent, *Sometimes a Journey Makes Itself Necessary,* detail

I did not get a good image of this next one so I snagged an image off Jennifer’s website. The lighting in the gallery was difficult and all photos here with the exception of the detailed shots- were adjusted for brightness.

Jennifer Sargent, *Rumors (Unexpected Love)*, 29” x 24” (photo credit Jennifer Sargent)

This detail should help to envision the intricacies. Again, up close and personal…

Jennifer Sargent, *Rumors (Unexpected Love)*, detail

The same is true for Winter Queens. It is an exquisite tapestry. So strong yet so delicate. And yes, loaded with texture best seen up close!

Jennifer Sargent, *Winter Queens,* diptych, each panel 65” x 14” (photo credit Jennifer Sargent)

Again, the quiet movement in the background and the open, single, and double warps.

Jennifer Sargent, *Winter Queens,* detail

Notice the repeated words I use to describe these pieces? Subtle, quiet, intricate, complex? I might also add modest. It strikes me as I write this that these adjectives could also be describing Jennifer herself.

I mentioned above that Jennifer taught a workshop for ATA after Convergence where I was fortunate to meet her in person.

There were two ATA workshops going on at the same time; the other taught by Fiona Hutchison (which I attended and will cover at a later time). We were allowed to wander in and out of each other’s classrooms so I nabbed a few photos of Jennifer’s table of samples. These are just a couple of shots of the many, many samples she had on display.

Jennifer’s *Layers’* samples as shown in her workshop

Jennifer’s *Dream Queen’s* samples as shown in her workshop

It’s obvious a lot of thought and planning went into these pieces. If you ever get a chance to meet Jennifer, or see her work in person, you’re in for a real treat!

Part 2 of 3 Voices: Jennifer Sargent