BRATTLEBORO-What inspires someone to start on a dramatically new venture in their 80s when contemporaries are putting their feet up? My Bones Are Woven, a 2021 film directed by Jane Mote and Joshua Krenshaw, explore this question Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 118 Elliot Gallery, 118 Elliot St.
The film centers on British artist Ann Sutton, who won world acclaim as a weaver and industrial textile designer. At age 78, she dedicated herself to pushing the boundaries of fine art.
The film is hosted by local architect and design enthusiast, Jim Williams.
"Anyone who gets to know Ann Sutton wants more of her," Motes said in a news release. "Through her we gain valuable insight about the process of creativity and resilience. Whilst her art is bold, radical and inspiring, this is not a biopic of an artist but rather about the thirst for co-creativity and an exploration of how age is not a barrier for creative excellence. Quite the opposite: She is a tonic to whoever meets her and through this film we want people to be inspired to believe they can do more."
The film shows Sutton in her studio in England, working with her assistant to turn her ideas into creations. She is a magnet for artistic collaborators who seem to enjoy her energy and wry humor. Sutton's world changes as curators from two of Britain's biggest art institutions - The Tate and Victoria and Albert (V&A) museums - start knocking on her door, intrigued by how her rewriting of the rules and structures of weaving are informing her new styles of art.
The next film in the series will screen Wednesday, Dec 10. Modernism Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story (Jason Cohn, 2023) captures this remarkable designer and activist's impact on corporate branding and American culture.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for conversation and refreshments; the screening begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Free virtual day-of home screening, as well as information on all films in Season 13, are available at adfilmseries.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.