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for 2008, including the highly regarded Paris Slick Show and London Scope Show (concurrent with the release of Sew Far). Dozens of galleries across the country, from Mark
Milliken Gallery in New York City, to Twist in Portland, Oregon, exhibit her art. Taking the display of her work in an exciting new direction, Chris will launch her much-anticipated online gallery the Chris Roberts-Antieau Store this month.
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inspirations, Picasso, Miro, and Van Gogh, Chris takes the honesty, freedom, and new perspective of childrenâs art to a new level. She doesnât just mimic a childâs styleâshe applies a childâs eye to adult realities, reminding viewers not to take themselves too seriously, and giving them a chance to remember again the wonder and joy that children find in the everyday.
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by
Rebecca Hoffberger to exhibit at Baltimoreâs prestigious American Visionary Art Museum as a part of the permanent collection as well as the current show; The Marriage of Art, Science and Philosophy. Recently Chrisâs work was chosen to show alongside artists such as Basquiat at the acclaimed 21 C museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Chris
Roberts-Antieau is self taught and proud to be considered an âoutsider artistâ. Chris and her work have graced the pages of countless print features, including O, the Oprah Magazine. Her self-designed Ann Arbor-area home and studio were featured on HGTV. A feature length documentary of Chrisâs
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The next year, Chris returned to
Baltimoreâs American Craft Enterprises show with the pieces that have now become her hallmark: âfabric paintingsâ composed from freehand-cut cloth shapes, hung behind glass in hand-painted frames. Response to these unique pieces was strongly positive as well. Today,
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On her very first day in art-school, the instructor had given the class an assignment to draw an ink bottle. The other students drew literal, realistic sketches. Chris drew a blocky, childlike bottle that took up the whole page. The professor singled it out for mockery in front of the whole class,
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So despite her remarkable success, Chris left the wearable art world and spent the next year exploring other options from her Ann Arbor studio. Again, it was a chance comment from a friend that set her on a new track. Chris had been struggling to find a medium, torn between her roots in sculptural
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Barely a year later, a visiting artist ran across Chrisâs work and suggested that she take a crack at creating designs for the then-hopping wearable art market. Chris took her up on it, creating 2 jackets and 3 vests, which the two took to
Baltimore, for the American Craft Enterprises eventâChrisâs
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The
Smithsonian Institute included her in the small group of top-level contemporary artists featured in their highly competitive Smithsonian Craft Show. She has recently had her work shown at the Bridge Art Fair in London, Art Chicago, and the Basel Show in Miami. Three European shows are scheduled
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Chris
Roberts-Antieauâs work has been featured in many museums, galleries, and shows. Over the years her work has been collected by many: The White House, Oprah Winfrey, Daniel Varenne, John Waters, Lyle Lovett, Senator Sam Nunn, and The Boxing Hall of Fame. Roberts-Antieauâs was thrilled be chosen
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CRA publishing proudly presents Sew Far â Chris
Roberts-Antieau: A Twenty Year Retrospective. Sew Far is a sumptuous and colorful first monograph on Chris Roberts-Antieauâs striking hand-stitched appliquĂ©s. Vivid, humorous, and sometimes autobiographical, Chrisâs work draws heavily from her unique
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I could name influences like Miro and Van Gogh, but in reality, I think Iâve been most inspired by things closer to homeâthe drawings my son Noah did as a child, the playful and profound tradition of
American folk art, and the laughter and wonder of simple âeverydayâ joys: favorite pets, good wine,
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At the end of that year, Chris had a thriving business, but she was miserable. She wanted to be an artist, not a manufacturer. Wearable art took up an enormous amount of time in management and production. And it wasnât like other fine art: people didnât just care about the design--they wanted it
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Oprah
Winfrey has discovered an American treasure: Michigan born self-taught artist Chris Roberts-Antieau. In the summer of 2000, Oprah happened upon a little unknown gallery near her home in New Buffalo, Michigan. She came across a series of colorful and sophisticated framed fabric appliqués that
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Marriage and the birth of her son, Noah, put her art on hold for a few years. But when Noah was old enough to hold a crayon, the two of them began to draw together. Chris found herself fascinated by the raw childlike vision she saw in her sonâs drawings, and it wasnât long before she herself was
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Roberts-Antieau is as prolific as she is busy, this fall begins with the debut of Sew Far, as well as two museum exhibitions, three international shows, the launch of Chrisâs new online gallery store, and the trailer premier of her feature length documentary; A love letter to Tom Waits. Adding to
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Iâm not sure I really chose to be an artistâI feel more like art chose me. My earliest memories are filled with art: sitting on the living room floor, drawing horses and copying fashion illustrations, or sketching the landscape from the backseat of my fatherâs car. Iâve always seen the world in
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But while the meaning of a given piece may not be clear-cut, Chris does have some sense of what sheâs trying to get across. âMy vision of the world is joy-based,â she says. âEven when awful things happen to me, Iâve found wonderful things along the way. Thatâs what my art is about: the joy and
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Celebrating this singular visionary, CRA Publishing is thrilled to offer Sew Far as a limited edition boxed set, signed by Chris Roberts-Antieau, each with a original hand stitched framed appliqué created by the artist. Beautifully designed, this impressive large format title includes insightful
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But while my pieces donât have any rigid âmeaningsâ, I do hope they express a deep feeling of joy. My parents always taught me that anything is possible, and Iâve seen that come true: Iâve been able to follow my calling, I love what I do, and Iâm humbled by the many blessings in my life.
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True to her roots, Chrisâs gaze is still distinctly child-inspired. Her compositions have the delightfully off-kilter feeling of childrenâs drawings, and the subjects sometimes seem to be a childâs choosing as well: âPlaying With Dollsâ, âBad Dogâ, or âBug Jarâ. But like her better-known
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Often, when people are moved by one of my pieces, theyâll ask me what it means. I like to tell them that it means whatever they see, and I really enjoy it when people take the time to tell me what a piece means to them. It gives me a chance to see my work from a whole new angle.
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immediately resonated with her. From this chance encounter Ms. Winfrey began collecting the work of this little known artist. In the years that followed a true rags to riches story unfolded, and Chris Roberts-Antieau is now one of the foremost fabric artists in America today.
209:âPeople always want to know what my work is about,â Chris says. âBut Iâm an artist, not a writer. If I could put it into words, then I wouldnât have to make the pictures.â Everyone who sees her art brings something different to it, she believes, and sheâs happy with that.
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a dozen years later, the best art galleries across the country offer her work, which has also won major awards at the prestigious Ann Arbor and St. Louis Art Fairs, and the attention of HGTV, O the Oprah Magazine and Mary Engelbreitâs Home Companion Magazine.
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The response was overwhelming. Buyers crowded a dozen deep around the makeshift booth, elbowing each other for place. When the smoke cleared, Chris had hundreds of orders from stores across the countryâincluding Neiman Marcus.
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take on pop culture and universal themes. Like her better-known inspirations, Picasso, Miro, and Van Gogh, Roberts-Antieau takes the honesty, freedom, and new perspective of naive art to a new level.
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objects, and the freedom sheâd found in her flat designs for wearable art. âIt doesnât have to be on a jacket to be flat,â her friend suggested. âWhy donât you make something to hang on a wall?â
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English 184 pages 10.5â x 10.5â in decorative keepsake box $ 550 Includes: limited edition framed fiber appliquĂ© Design: Design Ranch Kansas City, MO Photography: Danny Kline
159:âback at the drawing board,â creating fanciful cloth sculptures for regional art shows. Her first sale: a trapeze artist, which took her two days to make, and sold for $ 18.
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She returned home, hired a staff of fifteen, and set out to meet her commitmentsâdoing the complicated and time-consuming detailing on each garment herself.
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life, career and book Sew Far; Titled Chris Roberts-Antieau: A Love Letter to Tom Waits is currently in production. The release date is summer of 2010.
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excitement, Chris has been nominated by Governor Jennifer Granholm for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chrisâs home state of Michigan.
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1988-90, 1991-92, 1996, 1998 to present. Philadelphia Craft Show. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA.
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2008 - 2009 The marriage of Art, Science, and Philosophy. American Visionary Art Museum. Baltimore, MD
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2003 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Modern Primitive Gallery, Atlanta, GA. With quilters of Geeâs Bend.
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1988-90, 1992-94, 1998 to present. Washington Craft Show. Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC.
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1992 Selection Committee, American Craft Enterprises. Baltimore, MD; Atlanta, GA; St. Paul, MN.
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2007 Wild styles: Hot Craft â Cutting Edge Contemporary Craft. Sesame Gallery, London, England
681:. Review copies of Sew Far and more information are available at www.chrisroberts-antieau.com.
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pictures, and Iâve always communicated best through imagesâI think Iâve always been an artist.
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1994 âNew Workâ Running Ridge Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. Two-person show with Richard Silver.
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interviews with Roberts-Antieau, offering rare insight into the mind of a brilliant artist.
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2001 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Show of Hands, Denver, CO. Two-person show with Meg Little.
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2000 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Show of Hands, Denver, CO. Two-person show with Meg Little.
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1995 âNew Workâ Mark Milliken Gallery, New York, NY. Two-person show with Graceann Warn.
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1991 âNew Workâ Mark Milliken Gallery, New York, NY. Two-person show with Graceann Warn.
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2000 Artists As Angels Holiday Benefit Auction. Sponsored by E-bay and Mary Engelbreit.
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Sew Far â A TwentyYear Retrospective Book of Chris Roberts-Antieau, CRA Publishing, 2008
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asking her, âWho told you you could draw?â Chris walked out and never looked back.
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2005- 2006 Race, Class, and Gender. American Visionary Art Museum. Baltimore, MD
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1989-present. American Craft Exposition. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
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1998 âThe Hurlbutt Bestiaryâ Friends of the Greenwich Library, Greenwich, CT.
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2007 -2008 All Faith Beautiful. American Visionary Art Museum. Baltimore, MD
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2000 âInvitational Exhibitionâ Washington Street Gallery, A Ann Arbor, MI.
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2003 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Show of Hands, Denver, CO. One-person show.
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Fabric. Mary Engelbreit. Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, 2001.
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2005 to present. Permanent Collection. The American Visionary Art Museum
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1999 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Two Chicks, New Orleans, LA. Solo show.
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1990 âChris Roberts-Antieauâ Views Gallery, Manayunk, PA. Solo show.
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1999 Selection Committee, American Craft Enterprises. Baltimore, MD.
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2003 â present. Outsider Art Fair â Puck Building, New York, New York
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1998 Sculptural Objects and Functional Art. Navy Pier, Chicago, IL.
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1990 Board of Directors, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Ann Arbor, MI.
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1995 âGroup Craft Exhibitionâ Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, TN.
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1991-1993 Zozobra Gallery, founder & owner. Chelsea, MI.
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For media related inquires, please contact Angela Brookbank at
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1994 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Jurorâs Award: Best in Drawing
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1991 âNew Workâ Bennett Gallery, Knoxville, TN. Solo show.
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The Life of Chris Roberts-Antieau A Love Letter to Tom Waits
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2006-present. Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Tuscaloosa AL
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1988-present. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Ann Arbor, MI.
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1988-present. American Craft Enterprises. Baltimore, MD.
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began her career in art by walking out of an art class.
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2007 Kentuck Festival of the Arts: Award of Distinction
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2006 Kentuck Festival of the Arts: Award of Distinction
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1998-present. American Craft Enterprises. Atlanta, GA.
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Sew Far Chris Roberts-Antieau 20 Year Retrospective Book
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The Spectrum Nantucket, MA; Brewster, MA; Newport, RI
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1999 Jury, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. Ann Arbor, MI.
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2007 to present. Los Angeles Art Show, Los Angeles CA
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artist best known for sewing hangable art from fabric.
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2007 New Orleans Jazz Festival: Best in Show, Fiber
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2006 New Orleans Jazz Festival: Best in Show, Fiber
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to match their new shoes, or favorite sweater, too.
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RWD. "Bookmark: sew far." Nylon Magazine Mar, 2009.
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first show ever outside her home state of Michigan.
274:1998-present. St. Louis Art Fair. St. Louis, MO.
213:wonder and humor thatâs all around us, every day.â
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295:2007 to present. Bridge Art Fair, London England
262:1990-97. New Art Forms. Navy Pier, Chicago, IL.
271:1998-present. Crafts at the Castle. Boston, MA.
585:1995 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair: Best in Fiber.
576:1992 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair: Best in Fiber.
501:1989 Art Park, Artist-in-Residence Lewiston, NY
265:1996 North Shore Folk Art Show. Evanston, IL.
579:1994 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival Poster
304:2007- present. Art Chicago Intuit, Chicago,IL
603:2006 St. Louis Art Fair: First Place, Fiber.
600:2003 St. Louis Art Fair: First Place, Fiber.
594:2001 St. Louis Art Fair: First Place, Fiber.
588:1998 St. Louis Art Fair: First Place, Fiber.
425:Judith McGrann and Friends Minneapolis, MN
389:Indianapolis Museum of Art Indianapolis, IL
386:Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA
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487:The White House â House of Representatives
431:America OH Yes! Hilton Head South Carolina
395:Zona New York, NY; Aspen, CO; Tokyo, Japan
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621:2008 Governors Award State of Michigan
597:2003 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Poster
404:The Phillips Collection Washington, DC
591:1998 Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Poster
298:2007 to present. Art Basel, Miami FL
48:Self Portrait by: Chris Roberts-Antieau
383:Modern Primitive Gallery Atlanta, GA
428:Running Ridge Gallery Santa Fe, NM
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726:Ann Arbor Street Fair: the Original
618:2008 Niche Magazine Award Finalist
374:Mark Milliken Gallery New York, NY
422:Greenleaf Gallery Bannockburn, IL
316:2008 Zoo Art Fair, London England
398:Bennett Galleries Knoxville, TN
392:Kohler Arts Center Sheboygan, WI
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413:Left Bank Gallery Wellfleet, MA
434:Sesame Gallery London, England
401:Adam Whitney Gallery Omaha, NE
313:2008 Slick Paris, Paris France
493:American Visionary Art Museum
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226:close family, great friends.
717:Cherry Creek Arts Festival
419:Cross Harris New York, NY
371:Good Goods Saugatuck, MI
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541:Detroit Monthly Magazine
380:Show of Hands Denver, CO
744:American Craft Exposition
553:Home Companion Magazine
532:American Craft Magazine
490:The Boxing Hall of Fame
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753:Sausalito Art Fesstival
735:Sun Valley Art Festival
538:Southwest Art Magazine
407:Two Fishes Ketchum, ID
690:Smithsonian craft show
565:O, The Oprah Magazine
544:New Detroit Magazine
149:Chris Roberts-Antieau
54:Background information
556:Home Ideas Magazine
437:21C, Louisville, KY
410:Abacus Portland, ME
40:Chris Roberts-Antieau
17:Chris Roberts-Antieau
756:September 4-7, 2009
550:Ann Arbor Observer
535:Fiber Art Magazine
377:Twist Portland, OR
243:SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
747:August 28-30, 2009
713:Salt Lake City, UT
708:Utah Arts Festival
238:From Then Until Now
699:Old Town Art Fair
693:April 22-29, 2009
466:Senator Sam Nunn
367:SELECTED GALLERIES
738:August 7-9, 2009
729:July 15-18, 2009
711:June 25-28, 2009
702:June 13-14, 2009
695:Washington, D.C.
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64:Christine Roberts
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547:Ann Arbor News
481:Roger Clements
217:Artist Statement
197:Fabric Paintings
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572:SELECTED HONORS
529:Home Magazine
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472:Darryl Hannah
460:Alex Lifesson
451:Oprah Winfrey
445:Julius Erving
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181:"Iâm An Artist"
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133:Official Site
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740:Ketchum, ID
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704:Chicago, IL
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525:PUBLICATIONS
505:AFFILIATIONS
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120:1972âpresent
116:Years active
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722:Denver, CO
478:Joe Henry
463:Jason Lee
441:COLLECTIONS
23:December 18
761:References
60:Birth name
109:Harmonica
31:applique
29:) is an
568:Nylon
129:Website
91:Actress
73:Pop art
497:GRANTS
101:guitar
87:Artist
69:Genres
105:drums
77:Fiber
27:1950
678:or
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103:,
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