SEAMLIGHT, New Exhibition by artist Shayla Bond at the Akin Vitrine Gallery
Here at Akin, we’ve known about Shayla Bond’s incredible craftsmanship and eye for intricate detail for a long time, which is why we’re so excited that her newest exhibition, Seamlight, is up now at The Akin Vitrine Gallery until April 11th! This exhibition is not to be missed.
The gallery is viewable 24/7 from the sidewalk at 1747 St Clair Ave W, just east of Keele.
We reached out to Shayla to learn more about her process, muses and inspirations. Read the interview below.
Shayla Bond is a Canadian process artist who integrates design principles into fibre works to preserve heritage craft techniques within a contemporary framework. Her work explores themes of perfectionism, control, and obsession through aesthetic strategies such as colour, precision, and repetition.
Her exhibit, Seamlight, runs from March 11th to April 11th and features three 12" x 12" sewn textile works elegantly framed and installed, offering a captivating blend of minimalist aesthetics and innovative functionality.
At first glance, these works appear as solid-coloured textiles. However, they possess a hidden surprise – they can be turned on to emit a soft, mesmerizing glow. This subtle illumination serves a dual purpose: it not only enhances the visual appeal of the pieces but also unveils the concealed craftsmanship typically found on the reverse side of sewn garments and linens. By casting light on the intricate seams and stitches, this installation invites viewers to appreciate the meticulous artistry that goes into creating textile works prompting viewers to reconsider the beauty and artistry inherent in everyday objects.
What are you curious about right now? What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration?
Currently, I'm curious about the ways that pliable materials can be manipulated into solid or 3 dimensional structures. Continually, I am curious about how I can drive deeper into the art of heritage craft techniques while still creating works that feel visually relevant in today’s aesthetic obsessed world. Simultaneously moving backward and forward in time.
What was your first medium?
The first medium I can remember using was cheap acrylic paint. My craftsmen mother always had them laying around as she used them in her primitive woodworking. She would cut out shapes from wood and allow me to paint them.
Do you have a studio routine?
I am in my studio most days from 9-5pm. When I arrive at 7am, I am most prosperous and productive in creating as I am a morning bird. I try to segment the commercial side of my business, creating, and admin work by days, and avoid using those parts of my brain all in one day. One day a week I try to work on grants and exhibition proposals.
Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?
I begin my day as soon as my eyes open by rolling over in bed and doing ’morning pages’, which is something I took away from the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Morning pages are 3 written stream-of-thought pages of journaling that can be a huge guiding force for my day. It helps me focus on priorities top 'wants' before any other thoughts, or worries adulterate my brain. As someone with ADD, it helps me set my intention for the day and when reviewing what I wrote the following day, helps keep me on track with goals.
Is there an artist you'd like to go back in time to meet? Or someone you'd love to invite to dinner right now? Who is it and what would you ask them about?
This is a hard one. So many talented people who paved the way for craft-based artisans today, blurring the line between fine art and craft. I would love to go back in time and meet Alexander Girard, renowned architect, interior designer, furniture designer, industrial designer, and a textile designer. As someone who feels quite disciplinary in my approach to textiles, I'd like to ask about his design process and cross pollination of mediums, along with some of his values/beliefs. He's known to have had a manifesto that guided his practice.
What are some of the benefits of being in the studio for you?
Being in the studio has multiplied my growth as an artist. Having a space that is dedicated to your practice can be hugely beneficial to your production. There are little distractions that there would be at home, when you arrive, you simply pick back up where you left off the previous day, and you are also offered that sense of validation and confidence so many artists crave and need when claiming, "I am an artist". It is a tiny world in which your creativity can live in full force.
What are you NOT very good at? What do you WANT to be good at?
I am not good at saying no, and prioritization. I take on too many projects which splits my ability to get better in individual areas and can stunt growth. As someone who tries too hard to be good at everything, I think my answer to this would be that I am actively trying to reframe and be happy with NOT be good at everything - because it's unattainable! 🙃
You can find more of Shayla’s work on her website www.shaylabond.com and on her instagram @bushclass