Eleanor Anderson and Michelle Grabner at Abattoir (Cleveland)
In terms of cohesion between artists, Abattoir succeeded with flying colors by pairing Detroit-based Eleanor Anderson and Milwaukee/Chicago-based Michelle Grabner. While bound by craft traditions and a shared love for textiles and domestic hallmarks, the artists work quite differently, with Anderson employing traditional embroidery and soft sculpture techniques and Grabner challenging perception by casting crocheted blankets in brass and bronze. Anchored by a braided rag rug and a garland-like strand crafted by Anderson, Abattoir’s Material booth easily sparked joy with a big wink to DIY culture. Grabner’s humorous take on pantry staples took shape in hand-painted versions of gingham twist-off lids, sardine tins adorned with silver leaf climbing the wall, and a grid of 12 small paintings celebrating Cornelius, the rooster of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes fame.
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