![Connotation no. 3](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation03.jpg)
Connotation no. 3. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11 x 11 inches.
This new series takes a leap from the minimalist compositions made last year.
Simply embroidering postcards alone, I was able to achieve a wide array of compositions–but ultimately I wanted to work bigger and try more elaborate patterns and shapes with the thread. First, I needed larger imagery, which, most notably in this series, I found in the beautiful pages of 1950s LIFE magazines. A long-time fascination with radial compositions and mandalas led to these radiating layers of geometric collage.
![Connotation no. 2](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation02.jpg)
Connotation no. 2. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11 x 11 inches.
Unlike most of my previous embroidered works, which were designed and punctured from the back (almost arbitrarily in relation to the imagery the thread would overlay), these layered pieces required a lot of attention paid to every element, in order to keep things lined up and symmetrical.
![Connotation no. 26](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation26.jpg)
Connotation no. 26. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11-3/4 x 11-3/4 inches.
![Connotation no. 5](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation05.jpg)
Connotation no. 5. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11 x 11 inches.
![Connotation no. 13](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation13-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 13. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 14](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation14-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 14. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 8](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation08-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 8. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 9](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation09-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 9. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 27](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation27.jpg)
Connotation no. 27. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 12 x 12 inches.
I enjoyed distorting and juxtaposing these mid-century images. It was a challenging series, and I’m looking forward to creating more in this style.
This series debuted in a solo exhibition at Joe Bar in April, 2012. Available works in the shop!
View the whole series »
![Connotation no. 4](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation04.jpg)
Connotation no. 4. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 1](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation01-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 1. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 6](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation06-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 6. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 7](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation07-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 7. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 11](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation11-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 11. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 23](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation23.jpg)
Connotation no. 23. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11 x 11 inches.
![Connotation no. 19](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation19.jpg)
Connotation no. 19. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches.
![Connotation no. 17](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation17.jpg)
Connotation no. 17. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 12 x 12 inches.
![Connotation no. 16 (small)](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation16sm.jpg)
Connotation no. 16. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 6-1/2 x 11-1/2 inches.
![Connotation no. 15 (small)](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation15sm.jpg)
Connotation no. 15. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 10 x 14 inches.
![Connotation no. 18](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation18.jpg)
Connotation no. 18. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches.
![Connotation no. 20](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation20-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 20. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 21](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation21-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 21. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 9 inches.
![Connotation no. 12](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation12-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 12. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11 x 11 inches.
![Connotation no. 22](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation22-345x345.jpg)
Connotation no. 22. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 8-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches.
![Connotation no. 25](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation25.jpg)
Connotation no. 25. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 9 x 6 inches.
![Connotation no. 024](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-connotation24.jpg)
Connotation no. 24. Hand-embroidered paper collage, 11-3/4 x 11-3/4 inches.
New book now available in the shop!
![Catalog of 75 hand-embroidered vintage postcards and collages generated in 2012. 60 pages, 80# stock, perfect-bound, 8 x 8"](http://shaunkardinal.com/i/kardinal-book_con1-720x505.jpg)
Catalog of 75 hand-embroidered vintage postcards and collages generated in 2012. 60 pages, 80# stock, perfect-bound, 8 x 8″