Karen Gelardi is the artist behind New Factories, a network of artist studios and workshops that connects artists, production resources, and opportunities. Working with weaving, ceramics, hand-tufting, printing, knitting, metal fabrication, and cut & sew, New Factories exists amidst fine art practices, design and production for the purpose of originating and distributing new works.

Standard is a collection of vibrant geometric fabric assemblies which are hand-sewn in linen. The body of work draws upon a standard set of shapes and a colorful yet limited palette which aligns with the utopian modernist principles of the Bauhaus where artists and mass-manufacturing are reconciled. Karen and a team of sewers constructed 120 unique banners throughout the duration of the show at SPACE, adding to the walls as the pieces are completed

The project provided income to artists and an opportunity to experiment with ideas around mass production, customization, and on-demand manufacturing.