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Yarn Painter Robert Forman Illuminates His World With Colorful Skeins of String cover

Yarn Painter Robert Forman Illuminates His World With Colorful Skeins of String

When Robert Forman first glued his mother’s embroidery thread to a collage back in high school, he wasn’t planning on making a career out of it. Some 50 years later, the New Jersey-based “yarn painter” is still illuminating the world around him using colorful skeins of string.

“Although these works are often referred to as paintings, they are created on a foundation of drawing,” says Robert, who starts each work with a pencil and paper. “Drawing is what my work is about, probably more than painting.” Comparing the lengths of yarn to more traditional linework made by pencils, Robert quickly adapted to the challenges of working with yarn before attending Cooper Union for painting. While there, his professors encouraged the young artist to think of his string works as legitimate painting. This perspective was soon validated after Robert received a fellowship to study abroad in Mexico, where yarn painting remains a popular art form among the country’s Indigenous Wixárika (Huichol) population. “Since my Fulbright I have maintained my relationship with fellow yarn painters, both by returning to Mexico regularly and by hosting Wixárika artists in my home,” he tells NOT REAL ART.

Yarn painter Robert Forman’s psychedelic yarn works show the beauty in everyday events and friendships in kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl across the canvas.
‘Xochipilli’

In his own work, Robert carefully considers the properties of yarn to illustrate images of family, friends, and everyday life. “Forms are rendered by the direction the yarn is glued,” he says. “Yarn lit horizontally is bright, while vertically lit is dark. The material and sheen of the yarn determines the intensity of this effect.” Mixing colors by alternating yarn of different hues, Robert creates kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl hypnotically across the canvas. In “Broadway” a motley cast of characters pose for the artist, lined up along Manhattan's longest street. Elsewhere, Robert pays homage to his connection with the Wixárika people in works like “El Gringo Rojo” and “Xochipilli.”

“My time in Mexico enabled me to meet and interact with many of the most skilled yarn painters,” says Robert, who returns to Mexico regularly for Wixárika ceremonies and to “talk shop” with fellow yarn painters. Welcomed as an outsider into a new community, Robert pays homage to his Wixárika family with psychedelic yarn works that find beauty in everyday events and intimate friendships.

“Yarn lit horizontally is bright, while vertically lit is dark. The material and sheen of the yarn determines the intensity of this effect.” — Robert Forman

Yarn painter Robert Forman’s psychedelic yarn works show the beauty in everyday events and friendships in kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl across the canvas.
‘Broadway’
‘El Gringo Rojo’
Yarn painter Robert Forman’s psychedelic yarn works show the beauty in everyday events and friendships in kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl across the canvas.
‘Focal Point’
Yarn painter Robert Forman’s psychedelic yarn works show the beauty in everyday events and friendships in kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl across the canvas.
‘Trees and Doorways’
Yarn painter Robert Forman’s psychedelic yarn works show the beauty in everyday events and friendships in kaleidoscopic scenes that swirl across the canvas.
‘Black and Blue’
‘Aleppo’
‘One Hundred Bottles of Beer on the Wall’
‘A Walk in the Park’
‘Sycamore’

Robert Forman: Website | Instagram | Facebook

All photos published with permission of the artist(s).

Want to be featured on NOT REAL ART? Email editor@notrealart.com with a short introduction and a link to your online portfolio or three images of your work.

Morgan  Laurens 

Morgan Laurens (she/her/hers) is NOT REAL ART’s editor in chief. Morgan is an arts writer from the Midwest who enjoys saying “excuse me” when no actual pardon is needed. She specializes in grant writing and narrative-based storytelling for mission-driven artists and arts organizations. With a background in printmaking, pop culture, and classic literature, Morgan believes a girl’s best friend is the pile of books on her bedside table.

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