Stephen Tornero (b.1985)
Blue Sunset
Materials: Hand-woven linen, each 55" x 26”
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), blue neighborhood, sixth floor, hallway, east end, opposite corridor.
Stephen Tornero's Blue Sunset reflects his keen sensitivity to the natural world and the dynamic interplay of color. Inspired by photographs he takes while traveling across Ohio, Tornero uses the ever-changing skies, clouds, and light to guide his creative process. These fleeting moments inform his palette as he hand-dyes the yarns for his weavings.
In Blue Sunset, Tornero explores how colors found in nature, particularly those in a sunset, interact with the artificial hues of electric light. The piece is not a literal representation of a sunset but rather an impressionistic interpretation of that experience, presented in a vertical format that challenges traditional approaches to landscape imagery. The weaving's structure invites viewers to engage with the way color, light, and texture converge, offering a sensory experience that is unique to Tornero's medium. The work encourages contemplation of nature's colors through the lens of the artist's own abstract expression.
L3-L4
Materials: Hand-woven linen, each 55" x 26”
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), blue neighborhood, sixth floor, hallway, east end, opposite corridor.
The title of L3 L4 references the lumbar vertebrae at the center of the spine, crucial in supporting the body’s weight. This piece was inspired by the artist's personal experience with a herniated disc, which caused excruciating pain radiating along the sciatic nerve. The work became an exploration of the challenges Tornero faced as he adapted his movements during the process of weaving, an act that traditionally requires significant physical engagement, including winding, dyeing, and weaving the fibers.
The artist reflects on his experience of viewing X-rays of his spine, capturing this in the visual language of weaving by deliberately leaving gaps in the horizontal threads, or even creating holes, that do not fully connect across the piece. These absences symbolize the pain, limitation, and disruption caused by the injury.
Much like poets who use words or playwrights who turn to stage, Tornero uses linen and dye to transform personal suffering into a form of art that can be shared and experienced by others. L3 L4 becomes a visual metaphor for a painful journey, inviting the viewer to connect with the artist’s emotional and physical experience through the medium of abstract textile art.
About the Artist
Stephen Tornero’s work is deeply rooted in the craft of hand-woven textiles, where he combines the traditional techniques of weaving with a contemporary, abstract approach. Using yarn, he dyes himself, Tornero creates strikingly vibrant pieces that rely on the interplay of color and light. Drawing on techniques learned during his graduate studies at Kent State University, particularly under Janice Lessman-Moss, Tornero's work utilizes an open-weave structure that allows light to penetrate the fabric, resulting in a dynamic visual experience that shifts based on the viewer's perspective and the surrounding ambient conditions. The way light interacts with the fibers, including reflections from the surrounding environment, alters how each individual perceives the piece, making each viewing unique.
Tornero often incorporates zigzag lines into his weavings through precise color manipulation. This technique adds energy to the work, infusing it with a sense of movement and life. His pieces, though abstract, are deeply personal expressions that transcend mere craftsmanship. Tornero’s textiles act as paintings in their own right, utilizing the ancient medium of weaving to evoke powerful visual effects through careful control of materials and technique.
A resident of Canton, Tornero earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and Master of Arts in the same field from Kent State University. He teaches art to 7th and 8th grade students at Oakwood Middle School in the Plain Local School district, where he was once a student. His career as an artist and educator continues to inform one another, with Tornero bringing his hands-on experience into both the classroom and his studio.
Where you can see more of this artist’s work
Stephen Tornero has received numerous awards for his exceptional fiber works, which have been exhibited widely across Ohio and Pennsylvania. His innovative approach to weaving continues to be showcased in both solo and group exhibitions throughout the region. Visit his website to learn more.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health
- Next featured artist: Erykah Townsend
- Homepage: summahealth.org/art
- More artwork in new patient tower