Artist Bio
Libby Baxter
Fabric is a universal form of expression—from the clothes we wear to the home goods we surround ourselves with, fabric has been an integral part of everyday life since prehistoric times. The goal of my work is to explore the relationship between fabric’s universal nature and individuality through unexpected colors, rich textures and juxtaposing patterns. My list of inspirations is ever-growing but if I were to narrow it down to one theory it would be maximalism. Maximalism is defined by the opportunities it presents— opportunities for boldness, decorative excess, and the celebration of individuality. This is exactly what I try to capture with each work.
Like a lot of highschool graduates, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life but I knew I wanted to be an artist. I was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by people who cultivated, encouraged and indulged my creativity. My Mom's side of the family is composed of makers - constantly drawing, baking, painting and crafting. On my dad's side, form and functionality are highly valued when it comes to work. As I went into college, I was searching for a way to combine those two influences and find the best path.
As a child I was drawn to yarn. It may be a strange fascination for a kid but I would spend hours wrapping yarn around the rungs on the back of my chair at the dinner table and, like a spider, I left a trail of evidence behind me. It wasn't until I was wandering the halls of the UGA art school that it clicked for me. I saw the weaving room for the first time and I was instantly drawn to it. It wasn't long after enrolling in my first fabric class that I fell in love. I had found an art that combined aesthetic, craft, AND function. In 2019 I graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in Textile Design. Nowadays you can find me in my studio in Greenville, SC weaving away - Diet Coke in hand of course.