American Women, 2022
My work uses small everyday and iconic images and symbols to create large multi-layered works that reflect American history and culture, but can also extend to other cultures, in particular Eastern Europe.
Each small piece in the work has its own simplicity and beauty. The images used - paper postage stamps, pennants, teardrops, stones, crosses, printed pieces of silk- are meant to evoke an idea or a question, or spark a narrative or a memory. Each amalgamated completed work has a larger and more complex meaning.
I use found, modern and historic material, including paper, silk, antique silk thread, polyester, bubble wrap, vinyl and fabric, as well as pen and ink.
About
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RA Jenkin spent many years working in public health and journalism in New York City. During that time she taught herself how to restore and conserve textiles representative of American culture. Her techniques were greatly influenced by a visit with workers at the Conservation Center at the Villa La Pietra in Florence, Italy.
She has lived in the Hudson Valley for the last 10 years with her family.