Rebecca Speakes is one of New Mexico’s most talented and creative fiber artists. The New York Times Style Magazine recently featured an article titled; “Fiber Art is Finally Being Taken Seriously”. But here in New Mexico, a tradition of and recognition for fiber art has never been out of fashion. And Speakes represents one of the most creative forces in the fiber arts community of New Mexico. Her experience of over thirty years as a graphic designer combined with tangential interests in math and architectural concepts are the foundation for her work.
This show features all Speakes’ various creations, including her large-scale quilted tapestries, small, quilted accent pieces, table runners, and her ever popular “mug mats” (coasters). All Speakes’ art pieces feature striking geometric patterns and bold colors; often they incorporate “shiny accents,” a signature part of much of her work. The smaller pieces – accent pieces, runners, and mug mats – are presented in installation pieces. These installation pieces give full expression to the boldness and freshness of Speakes’ work.
Speakes is not only an exceptionally talented artist, but she is also one of the foremost promoters, with her time and expertise, of the arts community and the art scene in Southern New Mexico. She is secretary and a driving force of the Sierra County Arts Council, which annually publishes a comprehensive arts guide, the Sierra County Artists Directory, sponsors a website for the arts community in Sierra County (NM), and sponsors a lecture series called Art Talks. These talks add a rich component to the cultural life of Truth or Consequences and the surrounding area. Speakes will present her own Art Talks lecture on January 21, 2024, titled “My Pathway as an Artist.
The majority of the content for this article was provided by RioBravoFineArtGallery.
Rebecca’s wall pieces tease our perception of depth. Sometimes we see a vibrant display of 3-D cubes, and sometimes we are led along a track of ribboned color.