Martha's Needle Eccentricities: Martha Beadle Exhibition Recap

Martha Beadle’s whimsical fiber art will be on display at Kentuck’s Gallery at Hotel Indigo through April 26, 2022. Martha brings stories, pop culture, and history to life in her layered playful designs. Her strong connection to family, community, and church are evident throughout the gallery.

Beadle appeals to a wide variety in her works. Topics range from Rosa Parks to Andy Warhol, and Chuck Berry to the Eagles. Martha approaches pieces with joy and sincerity—each one a vivid composition of found materials that oftentimes elicit smiles and laughter from the viewer.

Born and raised in Florence, Alabama, artist Martha Beadle has been creating her lively fiber art for more than 20 years. Her career in the arts had a modest beginning as an activity she worked on while at home with her children. Accustomed to needlepoint and working with her hands, she desired a looser form of expression.

“i wanted something to produce and do that would be a lot faster than needlepoint.”

Inspiration struck while out Christmas shopping with her daughter in the form of a stitched quote on a pillow. The idea stuck, and she began creating the exciting pieces she is known for today.

Martha’s one-of-a-kind creations always start with a quote from varied sources such as song lyrics, scripture, and poetry. Colorful textural fabric is then stitched and accented with various buttons, jewelry, and knickknacks. Inspiration builds as the piece develops, Beadle's work comes to life with her unique techniques.

“when it comes together, it is just so fun.”

Martha has shown at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts, the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, and more. Her work resides in private collections across the United States and internationally.

Martha's Needle Eccentricities will be on view at Kentuck's Gallery at Hotel Indigo until April 26, 2022. We encourage you to see this show in person! Interested in purchasing a piece from the show? Call Kentuck at 205-758-1257 or email mbell@kentuck.org for more photos and purchasing information. Please click on an image for a closer look.

This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

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