Kristin Kleyer Mangum

KKartista Artworks International Fiber Mixed Media Sculptures BIO Kristin Kleyer Mangum is an accomplished artist based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her International Fiber Mixed Media Sculptures can be found in galleries and collections throughout the USA and Europe. Her sculptures are tactile, helping us connect, feel, and evoke our senses. Inspired by life and nature, her sculptures are natural, earthy, and organic in form and material. “Weaving imitates life – sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth. When woven together, you can see and feel the beauty, the growth.” Her process starts as a global treasure hunt, searching for the finest, local, 100% natural fibers and other precious finds. She creates as she travels, immersing herself in each country’s beauty, conveying that in each piece. Stitch by stitch, coil by coil, her international fibers are methodically woven by hand and needle, taking weeks to months to create. Back in her studio, creating other components to unify with her global fibers allows her to use skills acquired through her extensive formal art education and career as an artist and art educator. Her style is a unique take on traditional fiber techniques and other media. “With my design in mind, I control the shape as I weave, but also listen to the natural materials, giving them a voice. It’s a beautiful symphony of push and pull, helping it grow into an organic piece of art that you can feel, in all ways.” Displaying “A Piece of the World – A Piece of You” MY ART PROCESS Introduction to Weaving My artistic journey began with my Midwestern USA upbringing and grew exponentially with exposure to art history and travel. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art, creating in various art mediums, I pursued a career as an art educator. However, it was returning to school to pursue my graduate studies for a Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) that I discovered my passion of fibers, ending up living in culturally rich city of Florence, Italy, further expanding my love. This intense immersion allowed me to explore different weaving styles from numerous historical periods, but it was the coil technique that truly captivated my heart. Instead of crafting traditional baskets, I embraced my own organic sculptural fiber style. Evolution of My Technique Over the past 25 years, my weaving practice has evolved to incorporate my hand built ceramics, woodworking, metalsmithing, painting, drawing, and design. I exclusively use pure, natural wools and cottons sourced locally from the countries I visit. This approach transforms each journey into a treasure hunt, where I immerse myself in the vibrant colors and cultures, seeking out local farms and fiber shops. Working to communicate in whatever local language it may be, my desire for only 100% local natural materials, I gather these treasures and incorporate them into my creations, all while maintaining a hands-on approach. Nothing is outsourced; every component is crafted by me, ensuring a deep connection to my work. The Art of Coiling The essence of my coiling technique lies in a series of wrapping and stitching with a needle. I minimally wrap pure wool around hand-dyed cotton, resulting in sculptures that appear to have a wire-like core due to the vast quantity of stitching, despite being entirely composed of soft cotton and wool. This meticulous process, which often takes months, allows me to control the shape of each sculpture while also listening to the materials, giving them a voice. This dynamic interaction between my guidance and the natural tendencies of the materials creates a harmonious balance, echoing the philosophy of going with the flow in life. Creating a Symphony of Materials Back in my Scottsdale, Arizona studio, I handcraft additional components, such as my ceramics, wood, and metal, to complement my fiber sculptures. This allows me to continue exploring various art techniques, including painting and drawing on wood and ceramics. By layering ceramic glazes, I achieve unique textures and illusions, expanding the visual possibilities of each piece. An Organic and Unified Vision Every sculpture I create is a testament to the natural, earthy, and organic beauty of the materials. I avoid using synthetics or glues, opting instead to solve the puzzle of how to attach different mediums in a way that highlights their unique qualities. The result is a unified, growing structure that engages the senses and invites viewers to experience art in a tactile and immersive way. My sculptures are a celebration of the natural world, a testament to the beauty of listening to and working with nature’s materials.