Of all the homespun stars to spin out of DIY/riot grrrl constellation spinning around Olympia, Wash., and Portland, Ore., ala the Gossip and Sleater-Kinney, Nikki McClure has to be one of the easiest to adore.
Perhaps that’s because McClure’s grown and evolved along with her fans. Armed with paper and an X-acto knife, her intricate, graceful paper cuts have revolved around themes of motherhood, activism, and nature and have appeared on everything from record covers and zines to books and posters. Now with the release of her popular calendar, McClure will drop into the heart of the Mission District for the Nov. 6 opening for “Revive,” an exhibit of new works, at Needles & Pens.
Nikki McClure by Dicky Dahl from PatCastaldo on Vimeo.
This show will focus on the original paper cuts for the self-taught Olympia artist’s 2010 calendar and from her new children’s book, All in a Day. So if you’re a fan drop by and say, “Hey, Nikki” -- it’ll be a treat because McClure rarely shows in the city. The takeaway from McClure herself: "Revive. Embrace. Sew patches onto patches. Extend. Insure. Rely on stones and Mothers. Tell time by crow flight. Always learn and grow. Please. Make enough to spare. Seal summer away. Invite winter. Eat out. Make sauerkraut. Expand your use of tools."
“Revive” opens with its reception Nov. 6, 6-9 p.m., and runs through Dec. 8 at Needles & Pens, 3253 16th St., SF. (415) 255-1534, www.needles-pens.com
