Experience abstract fiber art in “Every Fiber of My Being,” a solo exhibition by Charlita Rae Whitehead.
Whitehead, a self-taught artist, has been working in the tufting medium since 2022. Tufting is an electric version of punch needle embroidery, which uses a needle to push yarn through material to form a continuous loop stitch. In addition to tufting, Whitehead uses a variety of tools and materials to create her dreamy tapestries. She incorporates tufting with traditional punch needle methods, different types of yarn and varying pile heights to create topographical hills and valleys.
The history of making rugs goes back thousands of years and has been an important part of many cultures and traditions around the globe. Through Whitehead’s lens, the lineage of rug making is both celebrated and reinterpreted, honoring the resilience and ingenuity of generations past. In “Every Fiber of My Being,” Whitehead portrays each piece as “a milestone along the path of discovery,” inviting viewers to engage with an age-old art form through innovative techniques and concepts. Delve into the captivating realm of bold color combinations, expressive curves, distinctive shapes and enchanting textures, where the opportunity to become immersed awaits. Every fiber embodies the artist’s evolving experience and every thread tells a story.
Charlita Rae Whitehead is a self-taught abstract fiber artist based in Ocala, Florida. Born in Japan and growing up in multiple national and international communities profoundly shaped Whitehead’s world view and aesthetic. It ignited her passion for culture, community, inclusivity and liberation. Having an analytical mind, a deep caring for people, and a thirst for information, she earned degrees in Health Information Management and Health Services Administration from the College of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida. Whitehead has exhibited at Shapot Art Gallery, Brick City Center for the Arts and the Webber Center Gallery.
“Every Fiber of My Being” is on view in the Appleton’s second-floor Preview Gallery.
(pictured) Charlita Rae Whitehead, “Blush,” 2023, 14 x 23 x 3/4 in.
Charlita Rae Whitehead, detail of “Current State,” 2023, 33 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 3/4 in.