Doug Sigler (1941-2018)

Lingerie Cabinet uses a physical element, wood, to redefine the role of fine art in representing our perspectives of the world around us and where craft art fits into the ever-evolving definition of art. I chose this piece because to me it represented some of the most integral parts of the human experience: balance, interconnectivity and vulnerability.

The denotation of the cabinet as a holder of lingerie, some of the most intimate pieces of clothing we wear, intentionally calls us to think about the intimate moments in our own lives. Immediately I thought about which parts of myself I choose to share with the world around me and which parts remain closed off, hidden in my own personal cabinet. We see this idea of intimacy further developed between the cabinet’s assorted interacting pieces, reminiscent of the interactions we encounter with others on a daily basis. The interconnectedness of light and dark, long and short, big and small pieces throughout the work come perfectly together to form one large, consistent, smooth, cohesive body.

Comparable to how craft art combines elements of artisanship, technique, discipline, creativity and individuality, working cohesively together to form a single piece of work, Lingerie Cabinet physically manifests the similar connection of all elements that make up this very world we live in. The parts we choose to share of ourselves, however big or small, work in conjunction with others; we all contribute to the society we build, and for better or worse, we must think about the impact our contribution makes. Once we begin to acknowledge that it is only through connection, empathy and understanding that we find the balance between all our pieces, then we can begin working towards building a smooth, cohesive and most importantly, unified body.

-Tiffany Gaines, Assistant Content Creator