Textile artist Arianne King Comer in her garage work space.
For her batik work, she uses foam rubber shaved into a cone to apply warm wax to fabric. It’s a technique she picked up while studying in Nigeria.
In Comer’s living room, beaded art from Africa hangs next to a Native American protector warrior doll for which she bartered a coat she batiked with native symbols.
Scenes from Lowcountry life are prevalent in Comer’s batik work, and indigo is almost always present. The artist is also an advocate, serving on the board of the International Center for the Indigo Culture.
Comer sketches ideas for her new home on Wadmalaw Island, where she is planning to grow Nigerian indigo as part of a three-year study.
While in residence at the Gibbes this spring, the artist created this batik painting to memorialize the reburial of enslaved people’s remains on the grounds of the Galliard.
Her work is currently on exhibit at the museum.
Visit the creative spaces of sculptor Herb Parker, painter Rhett Thurman, graphic designer Gil Shuler, and batik and textile artist Arianne King Comer
