Cheryl Patton Wu

Bio

Cheryl Patton Wu was born and grew up in the Freehold region of Jersey; left the state to spend time in NY, IL, MA, CA, VA; and returned to settle in Southern Jersey at the Shore, West Cape May in particular. Along the way Cheryl received a BFA from Syracuse (Major Ceramics/Minor Fiber) and an MFA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (Fiber & Fabric). On this journey Cheryl created soft sculptures, made oil pastel drawings, studied jazz tap, played and taught African Djembe, became a drum circle facilitator, was a Costume Designer in the DC-VA-NJ region, painted watercolors, and in 2017 rediscovered her love of fiber & fabric.  Since then her art has focused on 2-D works using fabric (cotton, wool), thread (assorted), and a sewing machine … however, recently Cheryl has added hand sewing/embroidery to her pieces.

Artist Statement

There is just something about working with fiber that appeals to me. I find fabric comforting, joyful, soothing, exciting, expansive, eye-catching, memory invoking, and more. In my studio piles of fabric surround me; patterns both bold and large, small and delicate, and everything in between. Threads and embroidery floss, shiny and dull, thick and thin, sit on display ready to delight my eye. I crave color, texture, and movement, and believe in the concept of more is more. All these fiber characteristics fuel my creativity and it is these tools, guided by the natural world, that inspire me to create my art.

CV_Cheryl Patton Wu