alan neider

Each summer my grandfather would paint the outside of his house; each winter he would paint the interior. As a child, I watched him, rhythmically and consistently painting the exterior of the house and then the interior. Though I was not aware of it then, the days spent watching him paint instilled within me a love and passion for the process of painting.

As an artist I have created complex 3-dimensional objects and heavily textured 2-dimensional surfaces for painting on and into. These series include Curtains, Chairs, Lamps, Improvised Clothing, as well as non-objective images.

My interest in the world of fashion/glamour and textiles stems from a collaboration with a fashion designer, Billy Falcon, in 1980 while living in Chicago. I find high-end fashion, Alexander McQueen for example, inspirational and informative. I have since created numerous series of drawings and three-dimensional work based on my fascination with the fashion industry.

With the series ‘COLORED DRESSES’ I am now fabricating fantasy ‘dress/outfits’. The ‘dresses’ are then sewn to paper that has been heavily painted and collaged with images and fabrics. Paint and the application of images and fabric are then continually applied to the work. I’m writing about the ‘DRESSES’ but I could easily write about any of the other art I am presenting here.

I have been ‘bringing’ the worlds of textiles and painting together for a very long time. I see and use both materials on an equal basis. I’m most thrilled when the patterns and or textures and or colors interact with the paint being applied.

Its important to note that only recently has the ‘Art World’ recognized those who worked with textiles as a serious art form. Now the ‘Textile World’ must allow artists who use paint on fabrics and textiles to join them.