Birgit Schmidt-Rosemann - Sea Polished

I create macrame sculptures and wrap rocks that I find on the Pacific Northwest coast. Knots are central to my work because they mirror the themes that inspire my art: Tension and repetition let beautiful patterns and shapes emerge in the rope just as seismic events and ceaseless friction create intricate patterns and smooth surfaces on rocks.

Each rock requires a unique wrapping technique. In a process of trial and error, I discover the symbiotic relationship between bamboo cane, leather cord, and rock to establish a pattern. Before that, I sometimes carve grooves into the rocks to highlight their shapes or reveal hidden, charming figures.

For the macrame octopus sculptures, I make thousands of identical half hitch cotton-cord knots that gradually create a bulbous head. I integrate wooden or antique glass beads for the eyes, attach the head to aluminum armature wire and continue with half hitch and square knots to form the tentacles.