Whitney Elliott believes that, as long as art exists, joy exists too. Her show, Joy Always Exists, exudes that spirit through the large, colorful macrame wall hangings she has knotted and tied by hand. These artful works are fashioned into patterns under the artist’s skilled hands, using cords of various colored fibers. Finished works include found objects such as crystals and metal images of birds and flowers woven into them.
While Whitney’s work definitely feels fresh and new, her medium dates back centuries to France and has been continuously practiced around the world since. Macrame had a heyday, however, in the 1970’s as part of the back to earth movement. It was especially popular among hippies and counterculture folk who were attracted to an art form that needed no tools but their hands to create wall hangings, plant hangers, and even clothing.
Whitney came to discover macrame in 2018 while out shopping for home decor. She came across a macrame wall hanging and said to herself, “I could probably make something like that.” And that’s exactly what she did. By 2019 her macrame-making was in full gear, and she had opened a new business called Double Rainbow Design.
Whitney says her art is heavily influenced by nature and the spiritual realm, and crystals are her jam.
“I am a self proclaimed crystal witch who is looking to heal the world through crystal magic and beautiful art,” she says. “Along the journey I have tied hundreds of thousands of knots, connected with countless people, fulfilled over a thousand sales, and been featured on sites like Voyager Baltimore and Beyonce.com.”
Joy Always Exists will open on Friday, March 1 at Main Street Gallery at 518 Poplar Street in Cambridge and run through Sunday, April 28. There will be two artist receptions at the Gallery on Second Saturdays March 9 and April 13 5-8 pm, and Whitney will give a brief artist talk during the first reception. The receptions are free and all are invited. Light refreshments will be served.
Starting in March, Main Street Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday 11-5, and online shopping is always available at mainstgallery.net. The Gallery, located in Cambridge’s thriving arts and entertainment district, is the city’s only artist owned and operated cooperative and has been downtown for 13 years. The Gallery is currently reviewing work by prospective members and guest artists. Please contact the Gallery through its website or by calling 410-330-4659 if you are interested in being part of this vibrant artist community.
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