Cindy Hoppe
I live north of Biggar in the beautiful rolling hills of the RM of Glenside. I was involved with fine craft early as my mom’s right hand helper during the early days of the Craft Council. I made pottery jewellery in the ’80s but when Myrna Harris (my mom) sold her kilns and turned to weaving, I focused on knitting to turn her work into wearables. When she made another turn into felting, I stayed on the woven path and started overdyeing wool and silk garments, eventually turning them into jackets, landscapes, and liturgical art. I dye material for skies and grounds, build up the textures with bobbin embroidery, and finish pieces with quilting. I describe the work as painting with a sewing machine. Fibre work has consumed me for the last 40 years and continues to intrigue me going forward. My work is available through the Saskatchewan Craft Council Shop and on my website. I am also a host of the Prairie Art Road Trip that happens near Biggar on the third Saturday in July. I welcome visitors to my home studio and gallery if you call ahead. Please check out my website at cindyhoppe.com. Thank you for your interest.
Where did you learn your medium?
My mother was felt artist Myrna Harris. She and I roved second hand stores together, using recycled fabrics in our work. We dyed them and she manipulated them into wall hangings, and I was making coats at the time. I began translating some of the dying into wall hangings in my own style and format and we had a successful two-person show in Saskatoon at Pacific Gallery in 2008. Visiting artist Martha Cole for critique and guidance, she helped me move further with my quilting which became more prominent in my work. I eventually took my mother’s advice and moved my work onto canvas stretchers and that is where I am building from today.
How do you define craft?
Craft is, in my case, a long artistic journey getting to know my medium and seeing where I can take it. It is important to me and the community at large because we love seeing some part of our life translated in unusual ways that intrigue and compel us to look again and again. If some of these pieces are used in our everyday life, or looked at through many different parts of our day, they continue to provide wonder and comfort indefinitely.
CONTACT
Phone: 306.948.2947
Website: cindyhoppe.com
Retail Representation:
SCC Fine Craft Shop, Saskatoon, SK
