Cameron Gelderman is a self-taught emerging, interdisciplinary artist currently living in Kelowna, BC. His process-based practice embraces spontaneity, breaking through one's inhibitions, worry, and self-doubt to enter an intuition-driven state. The result of this process is large webs of woven textile installations and artworks. While considering themes of mental health, Gelderman creates an immersive environment using yarn and thread in his exhibition Yarnlandia.
Following his instincts, Gelderman creates site-specific installations as a means of working through depression and anxiety by entering a flow state of creation. These transformed spaces, while chaotic, create an intimate space that invites viewers to engage and collaborate. Yarnlandia fosters an exchange between artist and viewer by inviting guests to add their own knots and weaves into the large-scale web of yarn, thread, and textiles, and attempts to empower gallery guests to work through inhibitions, worry, and self-doubt by embracing their creative instincts.
Yarnlandia in the Project Gallery, 2023.
Through scale, the installation invites visitors to move around the work, experience the works through touch, and to contribute to the installation. Through playful creation, curiosity, and experimentation, Gelderman encourages audiences to trust the process and trust in themselves. As he explains, “these works are there to be touched, satisfy the sense of curiosity, and connect the visual stimulant with the sense of feel. Enter Yarnlandia enthusiastically yourself and if you care to tie a knot, add some yarn, there are pieces highlighted for you to do so.”
Through the artist's experimental approach, Yarnlandia encourages exchange with audiences, and highlights the beauty of the unpredictable and spontaneity. Over time, the installation will evolve with each unique contribution of gallery guests, reflecting the impact community and collaboration can have on one’s individual growth.
Cameron Gelderman’s exhibition Yarnlandia is on view in the Project Gallery from November 3 - December 16, 2023.