Barn Rave, 2011
SOLO EXHIBITION AT SOU’WESTER, SEAVIEW WA | OPENS JULY 27, 2023ON VIEW
JULY 27 - OCTOBER 12 2023
OPENING RECEPTION
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023
7-9 PM
FOR INQUIRIES / TO PURCHASE
Please contact whereistoriwheeler@gmail.com
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a306d2ff2848a01e957070cebe32c56d0b5b922b2e7de1906ced5555292086b/tori-wheeler-entire-rug-sm.png)
Tufted, and interactive artwork, Barn Rave, 2011 encapsulates the frenetic, feral exchange of energy found in a packed dance floor. The modular work recalls a night in a remote barn outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Its tessellated pieces intertwine, forming a hazy, abstracted scene of kids drenched in sweat, a barn filled with fog, hay, pulsating music, and a mix of suspicious substances. This ephemeral experience imprints neural pathways.
The puzzle-like components and imagery pay homage to a transformative and hedonistic celebration of youthful exuberance. The liberated sensuality and sometimes-brainlessness of infectious bassy beats become the unyielding desires to relinquish the burdens and constraints of adolescence in small town surroundings. The pieces move and connect, at times surpassing a perfect fit. Capturing the raw energy of dancing amidst others. Capturing unbridled energy. Their arrangement allows for infinite reconfigurations—a reflection of the ever-shifting nature of the dance floor.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/88ee9e60dc5478b8beb0f98e642bd54dbd22a3c360755874a5099c14c43edcb6/01.png)
01
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9fd667fda0775e3735206d15cfaacc6b56e0bcd4308357fb5d80ffbff9ce964f/02.png)
02
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8762189f835ccb855f1498385dcc9ba29ff6465e1cb5a8442e249b9926d8bec3/03.png)
03
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b0943d8ceef2969ca88c6410af1141f2a1abf581eca78861d2013ebc515868b9/04.png)
04
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
SOLD
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/406b197be26a42f40502fa6fe0c0b4162c1baf43e57722cf3df04627f69a6f54/05.png)
05
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0e2cb236f9b303400ef5b546d76374ae0717f9f755003137fd0262123ca32101/06.png)
06
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1d99b24268635d5198a34cb7500b88945e0574f66cbdcd8092e3cfa569f00760/07.png)
07
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/23fabb856a3bc3cc1341805447f2de26d519257f46acc8dfea06a52406fb879c/08.png)
08
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/980517660b737be792bda4d366c9482576170c6069caa34b97e6c6136a422194/09.png)
09
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
SOLD
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/990a71f944cd18ef0a056ccbdb9d83f80b9b921accfd12575196f8123b3f3b1d/10.png)
10
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/697ffca9cb91655cca1694744d797d69dfe6a9403e7f352399e6593f012668bb/11.png)
11
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7111f790fea39dd8cdef1b184c328dddbb8860db5397f225f1c7fd40125245b0/12.png)
12
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6376ae85bf0e79be4d22cffbcf4a437c4ca4ce0dd1e264bd837d1abbe3eb4c7a/13.png)
13
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/276a7aab40a00dfac65876464e446fdb40e2e8a9eadd7f4ccf307c0cf0b96a2b/14.png)
14
21”x29”
Acrylic yarn
Felt backing
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/00e2854dd51141805ffde32c3864418c189cf93dcead87c5e32f4f047edd275e/tori-wheeler-rug.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/377c122c2c145f351809218d1a65d301ebeeebdcc51eb7f80d5ce739ba2d4f65/tori-wheeler-barn-rave-spread.png)