UMass Dartmouth pulls in guests with 'Tug and Pull' art exhibit

UMass Dartmouth’s latest exhibit, “Tug and Pull,” is sure to pull in guests. 

The exhibit, created by Anna Kristina Goransson, shows her emotions about life through felted wool. 

“I was kind of thinking a little bit of action and reaction and tension,” said Gorannsson, “I’m at an age where things are maybe a little bit rough.”

Each piece starts much larger but using a typical felting process with water and soap so that the wool fibers combine. Rather than dying the wool she dyes the finished pieces, either using natural dyes or Kool Aid. 

She created three of the pieces specifically for this show; “Trying to Connect,” “Tug” and “Balance/Levels.” She has another two pieces, “Seeping Through” and “”Pull/Weight” on display, as well as examples of her art that people can touch. 

“Trying to Connect” has felted puzzle pieces hanging from the ceiling. She made the piece thinking about her mother losing her memory, and how the things inside the brain are supposed to connect but don’t. 

“Tug” shows a vortex of felt nailed to the wall being pulled by an anchor. She was thinking about the way that her obligations pull her, thinking which will win in the end. 

“Balance/Levels” shows felted forms balanced on beakers that explores the many elements of her life, with color representing how the energy ebbs and flows. These include being a wife, daughter, mother, sister, artist and a teacher.  

“Every person has all these different roles that they play and depending on the day, what’s the energy level for that?” asked Goransson. 

“Seeping Through” is the piece she describes as her “wall of sadness.” She made it when she was depressed about the wars and violence in the world, like “...horrible things seeping through the walls.”

“Pull/Weight” shows two different felted pieces wrestling, with a weight on the other end. This one she dyed with mint and sage from her garden. 

She created a dramatic setting, placing the lights so that her pieces cast dark shadows on the walls. 

Goransson got her masters degree from UMass Dartmouth in 2008 and was invited to show her art by the gallery manager, Viera Levitt. 

For those interested in learning how felting works, there will be a workshop on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All felting materials will be provided, although guests are encouraged to stay through the event. 

There will be a reception for the site specific work on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The show will be open to the public from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Campus Gallery is located at 285 Old Westport Road.