GORDANA BRELIH

FIBRE ARTIST & DESIGNER

Colour and texture are my passion.

As I work, a piece takes on its own life. It is like taking a tiger by the tail and the exhilaration and challenge of each piece can become evident to the viewer. I studied Fashion and Design in Belgrade, Serbia for five years, and have traveled the road from fashion to quilting to experimental fibre art. It has become my life.

My Work and Style

Following a successful career in fashion design, I discovered quilting in 2002. After receiving a strong grounding in traditional quilting, I began experimenting with different techniques. These experiments cultivated a devotion to all forms of quilting and a love of hand-embellishment, free motion embroidery and machine piecing. I have put thousands of hours into my work, stitch-by-stitch, adding lustrous threads, beads, fibers and non-traditional materials like paper and metal. My art takes on a life of its own.

Quick sketches or moments of inspiration challenge me to strive for something different. While new techniques are a welcome challenge, colour is a strong element in my work. It is one of the key elements in giving my art its aged or antique look. There is a sense of history with each piece that invites the viewer to take a closer look and see the story that is to be told. I belong to the international group of artist called Connections Fibre Artists and we exhibit thorough out Canada.