Connections:
Story Rugs of Dale Gottlieb

An artist since childhood, Dale attended art school in New York where she received a BFA and graduated with honors. The journey through school had its' twists and detours landing Dale in India at 20 years old, seeking spiritual enlightenment. It was in that Hindu ashram that Dale's introspective meditation changed from an initial longing for a more ascetic life to finding her profound truth; her irresistible urge to create art.

Dale's great sensitivity towards issues of injustice and inequality were innate from early on, and have paved the way for Dale's philosophy toward life and her work. Primarily a painter, Dale decided to expand her medium by collaborating with a Tibetan carpet maker named Lobsang Tenzing who lives and works with his family in Nepal. She sends her paintings to Nepal and roughly three months later they return as rugs, beautifully hand woven using hand spun and hand dyed wool, with at least eighty knots per square inch.

The narrative style written in Dale's own cursive hand, deliver powerful stories of freedom and triumph over adversity. The diversity Dale was exposed to growing up in Brooklyn, and her own Jewish heritage has allowed Dale to convey her messages of hope loudly, clearly and beautifully.

"I have been blessed with the curse of an under-dogs' heritage. And like Avis, we try harder to get to the same place. I hope to see you there." D.G.