Patricia Udell, an artist known for modernist works in clay, plaster, wood, and canvas, is unveiling her first tapestry at Onna House in East Hampton in a show titled “My Life Has Been a Tapestry,” opening tomorrow and running through Sept. 1. The exhibition takes its name from the 1971 Carole King song. Udell, who has exhibited at Meislin Projects, Quogue Gallery, and amArtHouse, discusses her move into textiles, her inspirations from Calder and Matisse, and the solitary, intuitive nature of her practice. Onna House, founded by designer Lisa Perry, focuses on women artists, making it a fitting venue for Udell’s work.
The show matters because it marks a significant medium shift for an established artist who has long worked in sculpture and painting, now embracing tapestry as a way to create art that is not “under glass” and feels accessible. Udell’s emphasis on simplicity, happiness, and avoiding elitism challenges the blue-chip art world, while Onna House’s mission to empower underrepresented female artists highlights ongoing efforts to diversify exhibition spaces. The article also offers insight into Udell’s creative independence and her desire for her work to reach a broader audience beyond the Hamptons’ luxury market.