Physician, author, professor, former Swarthmore College president, consultant, scholar, fiber artist, and unquestionable Renaissance man David Fraser ’61 is exhibiting his work in the Class of 1956 Gallery at the Mollie Dodd Anderson Library. The show, called “Twisted Logic,” reveals the beauty, complexity, and geometry of his fiber art.

According to David, “My artistic focus is the role of textile structure on form and pattern. I seek to combine serious study of traditional methods of textile construction with exploration of novel geometries for vessels. Currently, I work in ply-split braiding, using waxed linen cords that I construct in my workshop.”

Items in the show demonstrate that tension between traditional method and novel geometry. Many pieces, such as the burgundy and beige “Repose, 2009” resemble traditional vessel forms but sprout modern sculptural elements, in this case four “handles” that seem to grow into the vessel itself. Other pieces, such as the mushroom cluster that is “Mycelium, 2011,” represent objects with an intricacy surprising for the medium.

Working in fiber arts since the early 1980s, David has managed to create and show his work, curate other shows, write books, and serve as a board member and advisor on textiles for several museums, all while pursuing careers in academia and medicine. It should come as no surprise, then, that he is both a fiber artist and a fiber arts scholar. He writes, “My artistic work, therefore, has been complemented by serious study of the material culture of a range of societies around the world. My interest, however, is not in reproducing traditional work, but in exploring how venerable methods can be expanded, refined, and applied to new artistic challenges.”

“Twisted Logic” runs September 5 to October 21, and David will give a gallery talk on Thursday, September 22, at 3:00 p.m., followed by an artist reception.

The show is one of nine exhibitions organized by the George School Arts Department for 2011-12. The Arts Department offers twenty-eight arts courses in ten different visual and performing arts forms, with Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate course options.