It was an experience at the Bellevue Art Museum that set textile sculptor Sandy Rubini-Rochon on her current artistic path. The free-style weaving exhibit that had “charmed” her in 2017 was the inspiration for her own pursuit—nature-based pieces made from driftwood, jute, and repurposed textiles. Today, these one-of-a-kind sculptures grace the walls of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) Lasher Gallery, on display throughout the months of March and April and open to the public during WICA’s regular business hours or by appointment.
Sandy Rubini-Rochon with her art piece Balletto
“Each sculpture begins with the driftwood. It’s difficult to find pieces that aren’t your ‘run-of-the-mill’ logs,” says Rubini-Rochon. “The hunt for unique wood is part of the fun. They need to have character. As far as the textiles are concerned, they’re all repurposed…I love the colors and textures, especially earth tones. I love matching fabrics that may be diabolically opposite but somehow meld together beautifully as I create a sculpture.”
Rubini-Rochon’s sculptures can usually be seen at the Clinton-based Rochon Fine Art Gallery she shares with her husband and abstract painter Louie Rochon. Now exhibiting at WICA, Rubini-Rochon can’t wait for viewers to interact with her art in this new space.
“I absolutely love the Lasher Gallery. It’s a beautiful, well-lighted space with nooks and crannies that lend itself well to patrons feeling like they’re exploring and finding treasures around the next bend,” she says. “It’s wonderful to have my sculptures in a public space where they can be enjoyed.”
“I love Sandy's work,” adds Lasher Gallery Manager James Hinkley. “Each piece has its own particular sense of balance; no two alike. But what impresses me most is the wide varieties of textures in each piece.”
For Rubini-Rochon, the free-style sculptures have a life of their own, with the end result “much like an abstract painting.”
“I never know how they’re going to turn out until they’re complete,” she says. “It’s a totally loose, intuitive process. The sculpture takes on a life of its own as I instinctively choose the colors and variations that speak to me in the moment.”
Each piece is named for memories and personal and emotional experiences that Rubini-Rochon feels throughout a very “freeing” creative process.
Sandy Rubini-Rochon with her art piece Arroyo
“It’s wonderful getting lost in the creative zone, where nothing else exists except the fabric and whatever eclectic playlist I have jamming in the background,” she says. “It’s truly lovely, living in the moment.”
For Rubini-Rochon, the best part of the process is seeing the interaction viewers have with her inspired creations.
“The greatest compliment I can receive is when someone is emotionally moved by one of my sculptures. They’re truly abstract, and much like a painting, can evoke memories or emotion,” she says. “I once had a friend comment that one of my sculptures, ‘is a warm and comfy color scheme—it reminds me of winter in front of a real wood fire and soft lights and soft music with time to reflect on kindnesses.’ That’s as good as it gets for me.”
For viewers interested in seeing Rubini-Rochon’s textile sculptures, the art will be on display through April, with an opening reception held on Saturday, March 23 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at WICA. In addition to visiting the Langley exhibit, Rubini-Rochon’s art can be viewed at her gallery in Clinton or through her website, www.vintimo.com.