I inherited the need to move my hands from my grandmother. The rigorous and repetitive detail inherent in building textile-rich sculptures and collages is a perfect match for this necessity.
My hands must be in constant motion to construct a vessel, a container, a sculptural form. The process itself contains and grounds me. It is from this place that I explore the world.
My training as a psychotherapist has made me a listener, an observer, a companion. Often the goal of a therapist is to help identify conflict and the suffering that can come with it– to bring it out of the shadows, to come to know and even appreciate its origins. I use all sorts of materials to weave together a visual experience of this process.
I am drawn to random and mysterious objects which clearly have age and markings of use. They get me in the gut which is where I want to be when making my art. While drawing these objects and concentrating on their imperfections, a story develops, and I follow it. It leads me to describe a path in and a path out. Not getting lost is important to me.
Biography
In addition to her art, her main interest is understanding human complexity, and as such she chose a career as a psychotherapist. Carol’s interest in human psychodynamics has informed and nurtured her mixed media art.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and regionally in both galleries and museums, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York. She has participated in residences, including one at Haystack Mt. School of Crafts, and has taught at Haystack.
Carol received her art degree from Rhode Island School of Design and her social work degree from Simmons School of Social Work.
Contact me at cfaystein@hotmail.com.