DEDE DECKER : A latch hook exhibition

ID: A promotional graphic with the words “Dede Decker, a latch hook exhibition” at the top, with an image of a mostly red latch hooked piece that contains multiple cat, dog, and flower shapes. The background color on the bottom left corner is green.

This solo exhibition of latch hook works by artist Diana “Dede” Decker showcases her unique contribution to the textile arts. Her joyful work features a motif of kittens, puppies, cats, dogs, and other natural elements like flowers and trees, represented in large and small scale wall hangings. Her pieces radiate with bright colors that create vibrant negative spaces outlining the form of each animal and flower. 

ID: Artist Dede Decker stands smiling in front of her latched hooked pieces

ID: A colorful, organically shaped latch hooked piece by Decker

Decker’s latch hook practice began in the early 2010s as a pastime before and after work. Working from prefab patterns in the early days, her self-taught process has grown into a vital fine arts practice. Inspired by her love of animals, Decker creates her original compositions using photo references of friends’ pets. Using background colors to signify the environment the animals are in, each cat and dog are often wrapped in a red background and green border indicating that the animals are celebrating the Christmas holiday together. Details like fur pattern and eye color create a recognizable portrait of each animal figure, infusing her work with care and specificity. Decker’s work demonstrates her skilled attention to detail and dedication of time and physical labor to her practice – she cuts and pulls each individual strand of yarn through a mesh canvas to create each piece. Decker’s work evokes feelings of coziness, comfort, and care for loved ones both human and animal. 

Recently Decker’s work has been on view locally at the Textile Center, MN State Fair Fine Arts Show, ArtReach St. Croix, and SOO Visual Arts Center, and nationally at Art Explorers (Fort Bragg, CA), Circle Contemporary (Chicago, IL), MAKE Studio (Baltimore, MD), and Creativity Explored X Open Invitational Art Fair (San Francisco, CA).