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"For the past two years I have been working with a thread made entirely of stainless steel and perfected by the research division of Bridgestone Metalpha Corporation in Tochigi, Japan. It consists of 3,4000 aligned strands of drawn steel, pickled, colored immutably without the use of dye, twisted and plied. Its strength, resistance to fire, frost, and water plus other inherent characteristics--substantial weight, durability, silky texture, and
flowing forceful presence--inspire me to experiment in many directions. The color depth is unique.
I am not sure what its future use will be, but it is exciting to speculate. As I weave and manipulate the fiber I feel as though I am fumbling in the dark but an explosion of light is just around the corner. The pure beauty and silence of the woven surface invite contemplation. Massing and allowing the strands to coil and tumble unleashes the graceful contained energy.
The challenge is to continually restate or actualize the
primordial textile language making it pertinent to our lives and progress." by Sheila Hicks
Bridgestone Metalpha Corporation. Silksteel Sculpture by Sheila Hicks. 1997-1998. Alphatex (TM), 14 x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm). Mfr.: Bridgestone Metalpha Corporation, Tochigi. Collection the manufacturer and the artist. Wire drawn and acid-pickled
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