“The days keep getting longer.” All images © Peter Frederiksen, shared with permission
Chicago-based artist () pinpoints the most ridiculous, exaggerated moments in cartoons and animated shows to dramatize them further into absurdity. Cropping a single outlandish action or event, Frederiksen uses free-motion machine embroidery to stitch stylized compositions that, out of context, emphasize their dark humor.
Recent works include a Looney Tunes-style mishmash of feet and fists that burst through a bulging door in “Some locks won’t hold” and the tongue-in-cheek archery challenge of “Going easy on myself.” Often focusing on escalated tensions, the embroideries accentuate moments of high anxiety in a nostalgic, comforting childhood medium.
Frederiksen has started to switch to digital jacquard weavings for larger pieces. The base becomes a guide for his stitches and provides a colorful backing, which allows for less dense compositions. He’s also incorporated more unwieldy crops, including in works like “The days keep getting longer,” portraying a preposterously elongated filing cabinet.
In April, Frederiksen will open a solo show at in Los Angeles, along with a dual show in June at in London. He plans to release a limited-edition print with on April 25 and has a candle collaboration coming this spring with . Follow his latest works and chances to attend one of his workshops in Chicago on .
“Start in the middle and work back”
“Some locks won’t hold”
“Closer with every cut”
“Going easy on myself”
“Interrogation of desire”
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