Although Ely is far from any ocean, a selection of sea creatures is on display right now at the Ely Community Hub.
“Nudibranches: The Soft Sculptures of Anna Faye Crockett,” is available for viewing during operational hours.
Nudibranches are a type of sea-slug that present infinite colors and patterns, the perfect inspiration for any artist. The word ‘nudibranch’ is derived from the Latin word ‘nudus,’ meaning naked, and the Greek word βράγχια (bránkhia) meaning gills.
Nudibranches produce hermaphroditically, and like humans, differ widely in appearance. Some take on the traditional slug appearance, others have wings, feather-like appendages, or the echoes of arms and legs. Sometimes it’s easy to tell which end is the face, others it is not.
Occasionally the nudibranch takes on a coral-like appearance, making it difficult for the untrained eye to decide whether it’s a plant or animal.
Anna Faye Crockett was the creator of the show, composing almost 40 pieces of handcrafted fiber art.
Crockett passed away in 2023, and little is available on the public domain about her life. Ian Francis Lah stated in his article announcing the show’s opening, “Archival traces connect her to a regional gallery exhibition in Kentucky and to national lace circles in the 1980s, suggesting a creative practice shaped by fiber, ornament, handwork, and experimentation.”
Other than that, her life as an artist remains largely unknown to all but the smallest circles here in Ely. Her anonymity makes it clear that her art was not necessarily for public consumption; but rather, a way to express herself to her self and self alone. It’s a powerful commentary driving home the fact that everyone is an artist.
Crockett captures the sculptural textures and variations of nudibranches with sweeping folds of fabric and details that make any fiber arts master swoon.
On some of the pieces, she has handstitched hundreds of buttons with the inner thread in a square shape, perfectly recreating a nudibranch’s unique pattern.
On all the pieces, the fabric has been expertly folded, draped, and quilted to mimic the rolling waves of movement as a nudibranch floats through the ocean. The color contrast catches the eye and heals the inner child. The pieces can’t help but remind the viewer of the stuffed animals from childhood, albeit elevated for the adult palette.
Located at the Ely Area Community Foundation, “Nudibranches: The Soft Sculptures of Anna Faye Crockett,” is open to the public Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p,m,, now through the end of June.
Northern Lakes Art Association was gifted these beautiful pieces by Firefly Vintage and Goods of Ely.
