Weaving energy into fiber sculpture

Tag : Fiber & Yarn

He believes that labyrinths are important self-discovery centers;indeed, he compares completing them to climbing mountains. HisBethlehem show includes ''Labyrinth by Cutting,'' a trellis with adelicate trail marked by knotted blue and eggplant strips.

He could have been an architect or a landscape architect. Hisconstructions include an outdoor labyrinth of fiber and stone and aZen Buddhist African hut made with 100 pounds of yarn.

He is trained in rolfing, a holistic system of soft tissuemanipulation and physical-spiritual alignment. One piece at theBanana Factory contains parchment scrolls with messages from arolfing client who spoke of injuries suffered in the Middle Agesand 1810.

Another work has prison-bar strips scripted with ''promise daddynot to tell''; it was influenced by a former student he rolfed toremove the emotional residue of being molested by her father.

He's been very handy pretty much all his life. In his nativeSouderton he sewed cowboy outfits and built a loom from parts for apipe organ.

He lives in Lederach, Montgomery County , in a 19th-century chapel.

He's a perpetual teacher and student, the child of a principal anda painter-teacher. He headed the textile departments of the MooreCollege of Art in Philadelphia and the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. He has adoctorate in educational psychology and a certificate in pipeorgan. He worked as a counselor and studied baroque harpischord.

He's an energy shaman. He raises energy by wrapping silver wirearound cotton thread and placing a yellow-and-gold chain next toearth-toned, twisted netting. In fact, a clairvoyant once told himhis presence made his pieces more energetic.

He compares working with fiber to working with the fiber of life.The goal of both disciplines is lengthening and broadening, openingand integrating, weaving and crotcheting.

''Versatile Visionary,'' fiber works by Ted Hallman, through Nov.16, Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. Reception: 6-9 p.m.Friday. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. 610-332-1300, http://www.bananafactory.org .

geoff.gehman@mcall.com

610-820-6516