Meet Char Norman: Environmental Fiber Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Char Norman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Char, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am originally from California, born in the bay area and moved progressively south, landing in San Diego. As a child, my brother and I spent hours walking in woods with our Grandfather and exploring a nearby creek, where we gathered and brought home all manner of flora and fauna. As a family, we camped up and down the coast of California. I maintain, these experiences, from the Redwoods to the Pacific Ocean, had a profound influence on my love of the outdoors and my awareness of the importance of the grandiose majesty of the environment to the minutiae of the natural world.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work stems from a deep-rooted connection to natural objects and environmental issues while examining the relationship between man and nature. Reverential attitudes and nurturing acts contrast with the destruction of nature. The pod forms I use are both a type of shroud for natural relics and a womb or cradle for rebirth. Manipulation of materials and the use of traditional techniques in surprising or nontraditional ways are challenging and engage me in problem solving. The engineering necessary to create a three-dimensional piece on a loom intended for two-dimensional processes and the use of soft materials to form substantial objects is of particular interest. As I continue to explore natural relics as icons, votives, or objects of reverence, I hope to engage the viewer in a way of seeing that may lead to a respect and appreciation for the environment. Getting to this point has been a long road. For many years, I cobbled together enough jobs; teaching, lecturing and producing saleable items; in order to earn enough to keep making my art. Ironically it wasn’t until I was hired fulltime as a dean at a local art college that I felt free to engage in my art in a meaningful way. Although the hours were long, I had a steady income and could concentrate solely on the work I found valuable. The biggest lesson learned along the way was to seize every opportunity, make connections, and keep moving forward with the art regardless of time constraints. Now that I am retired from the college and in the studio fulltime, I continue to trade on the connections and opportunities gained through my administrative duties.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Because my life and work revolve around nature, I would invite my visitor to hike with me. Columbus, and in fact the state of Ohio, have an amazing wealth of parks and natural areas. Hiking can be as vigorous or as easy as the ability of the hiker requires. After admiring the natural beauty of the state, we would head downtown to visit the thriving arts districts, see the small galleries, university galleries, and the world renown Wexner Center. Meals would happen at small local eateries known for farm to table fare. I would introduce my visitor to contrasts. A trip to Yellow Springs, a liberal throwback to the ‘60s with its numerous galleries, headshops and Antioch College. Contrast this with Amish country just north of Columbus with its simpler way of life. Columbus is centrally located and day trips to Cleveland and Cincinnati, both with great museums and galleries are doable. In summary, I would alternate days of hiking with days touring a city.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother was extremely impactful on who I am as an artist and woman. She was a strong female figure who ran her own accounting business. First and foremost, she always made me feel equal to my brothers and in no way afforded less respect or expectations. Her career path, so different from my own, supported my knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. I often think of her words of advice; “if you don’t take yourself and career seriously, then no one else will.”
Website: www.charnorman.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charstegernorman/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/char-norman-3a73549/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/char.norman/
Other: https://www.columbusmakesart.com/artist/6914-char-norman
1 Comment
What a wonderful tribute to Char. She certainly deserves every accolade she receives for her fabulous work in many elements of the art world! Her inspiration to others is immeasurable.