Michael Kane, Fiber Artist
Michael has been a fiber artist for more than 27 years creating out of his studio in the mountains of Western North Carolina. His work concentrates on hand-dyeing, discharging and air-brushing 100% silk using the ancient techniques of Shibori. Each piece is hand-manipulated using pipes, board clamps, and stitch resist methods. Clothing is often pieced, layered or appliquéd.
Michael Kane
I’ve created a 27-year old career with my passion for dyeing natural fibers like silk. I’m infatuated with the feel, the look, and the flow of these fabrics and the way that transparent dyes can combine and accentuate that beauty.
My studio is an ever-evolving space that concentrates on hand dyeing, painting, and color release techniques based on the art of Shibori. These techniques are part of an intricate, process of folding, tying, and clamping fabric to create areas that cannot be reached by the dyes. Mystical patterns appear when the fabric is released from its bindings. It is a moment of complete surprise.
Frequently, a piece undergoes several processes and multiple runs through the dye baths before it is ready. I may cut and fashion layers of overlapping fabrics to create one-of-a-kind pieces. I take great care in this creative process and add a bit of intuition to bring each piece to life. Most pieces take several days to finish.
I strive for quiet yet strong results.
