The inspiration for my pieces has been with me for a long time. I remember seeing a woman interviewed on television when I was about 11 years old. These were very paternalistic times and she was introduced as a “housewife” with an unusual artistic outlet. 

As the story unfolded she described the creations she had produced using her household dryer lint. She perkily explained that doing this helped her with the monotony of housekeeping as she was raising children. She had a degree in fine arts and didn’t want to waste it.

I remember that, in that moment, my mind was expanded as to what it meant to be an artist. My interpretation was that any one could be an artist with anything at hand if they were needing to express themselves. No lack of canvases, paints, camera film or clay could prevent that.  

My hurdles about creating anything beyond the ephemeral is rooted in environmentalism, perfectionism and procrastination. This show was just the motivation I needed to finally produce. The process was smooth from preparation through practice to execution. This is something that has been percolating in the far corners of my mind for a very long time. It certainly has me wondering what else is there.

In the telling of my intention, I heard over and over again how flambable dryer lint is. After I finished  a few pieces, I took the remaining pile of lint out to the fire pit outside my little cabin on Salt Spring Island and lit it. The natural fibre burned on it’s own for almost 10 minutes creating a clean, smokeless high heat.

I’ve been contemplating the nature of dryer lint and it’s uses. Imagine that every household produces annual volumes of an almost weightless fuel source that is a waste product. At least it could be an effective fire starter on camping trips. This process really lit something in me. Thanks for reading. 

lorna.m.e.k@gmail.com