or Carter Smith being a craftsperson is less about the technique of creating beautiful shibori fabrics and more about opening himself up to the infinite possibilities the universe has to offer. The process of dyeing yards of silk, or designing one-of-a-kind outfits for his clients is less important then the inspiration he feels when he's able to tap into the "collective unconsciousness."
"When I want to design, I just open myself up to everything ... space out," says Smith, who works from his studio in Nahant, Mass. "I'm a master at what I do."
Gretchen Keyworth, director and chief curator for the fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Mass., agrees. From January 20 to May 6, 2007, the museum will actually be draped with yards and yards of the artist's fabric. "We're about letting people experience crafts, so we wanted to design an installation that would allow people to have a visceral experience with Carter's fabric."
Smith didn't get to where he is today by taking the linear path. In fact, it involved starting over completely 20 years into his career and going back to the very beginning before he was able to move forward again.
