By Ann Nichols
Staff Writer
For more than five years, Olga de Klein and Roses Watson Taylor have been looking for a space in which to create. Two months ago, they found what they consider the perfect place at 18 Eighth St. Located in the former Nino’s Soups & More at the corner of Broad and Eighth streets, Atelier 18 provides them with a place free of distractions.
Taylor and de Klein have been friends for more than 20 years and have a number of uncanny connections. Both spent years of their former careers in social services and helping others, their sons were friends, they took art classes at Chattanooga State Community College and studied belly dancing. And, tragically, they both had sons who have passed away.
For Taylor, it was the death of her son Josh about 16 years ago that compelled her to begin making art.
“After four years of grieving, I found that I wanted to sculpt,” said Taylor, who grew up in South Carolina. “I took a class, and the subject matter, of all things, was a cow bone.”
But the process intrigued her, and she continues to sculpt in bronze, terra cotta and plaster. Most of her imagery is figurative — either human or animal — and she is excellent at achieving a likeness.
Taylor also works with watercolor, oils and paints on silk. A creative project that she has recently begun is constructing books she calls “spirit whispers.”
“They’re not religious but more inspirational,” she said. “I write the text and accompany them with watercolor paintings.”
Born in the Netherlands, de Klein lived in Mexico for several years. There she was strongly influenced by the culture and the vibrant colors of domestic textiles. Her palette is composed of pure reds, purples, blues, oranges and yellows. She describes her work as color-driven.
Although de Klein is doing some painting on canvas, the series that she is concentrating on most is inspired by rhizomes.
“Rhizomes are root systems in which the roots of a plant can disappear underground, then show up again above ground on different levels,” said de Klein. “It’s like people who cycle in and out of your life at different times — it’s about connections.”
For this series, the artist paints or stains small wooden blocks on which she nails tiny crocheted or knitted pieces of silk. Some of the silk strips and fibers are from Indian saris. Incorporated into the silk sections are Byzantine tiles.
“The contrast of the yarn and nails is a metaphor for life,” she said. “The nails are hard and can hurt, while the silk is soft and beautiful and brings pleasure.”
Atelier 18 will hold a reception from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. In celebration of the opening, de Klein will wrap the poles of the parking meters on Eighth Street with colorful yarn.
Atelier 18 is a space for the ongoing exploration of creativity of Taylor and de Klein and will be open by appointment only. Call 280-4642 for more information.
Email Ann Nichols at annsnichols@aol.com.