Oblique Fragments

“Oblique Fragments”, a show at The ArtLofts in October 2024 features my fiber compositions and canvases by Mavis Gibson. 

My work for the Oblique Frangments show was heavily influenced by the poetry of Louise Gluck. I often browse my poetry collection for title guidance. When I found numerous titles that inspired me from the poetry books of Louise Gluck. I decided to delve into “why”.

At first I learned Gluck had been born within a year of my own birth. Conclusion there; she may have experienced some of the life lessons of the times I had. She died just a year ago in her eighties. She had two marriages (I had one), one son, two grandchildren. The parallels made me go deeper.

Some of her themes are: classical mythology, religion and the natural world. Being of optimistic nature (almost always), I tried to disagree with her ideas but was made to see my beliefs more clearly. Just after two major storms in Florida, Milton being the one most people who have spent their lives here have not seen, nature is not always beautiful.

Gluck’s  struggles of family, mortality and loss resonate. Look back, look ahead…..”no” just today.

Here Are My Black Clothes” says so very much to me. Please read that poem