Curating Fiber Greats

VFL is happy to have a guest article by contemporary quilt artist Pat Pauly:

What a great response, when I invited my colleagues, my friends, artists I admired,  some I never met before, to take on the theme of Parallax View, where an object or concept is viewed with more than one perspective, and present work to meet my challenge.

The result was moving, but then I should have expected that.

Dorothy Caldwell: An Island/A pondFor me seeing in parallax means to see something, anything, from a viewpoint different than a normal perspective. In my own work – using the quilt medium to make abstract art – I am familiar with the tradition of quilting, while also aware of contemporary art media. I combine these disciplines to produce work that speaks to both worlds.  There is a large culture of textile artists who are so comfortable in their own skin, so confident in their abilities, that they can overlook convention and bring new perspectives to contemporary art quilts.

Kathy Loomis: Crazed 11: Marching OnAlluding to typographic maps, Canadian artist Dorothy Caldwell, with her work An Island / A Pond splits the canvas in half, bifurcating the plane with shapes that reflect her vision of Lake Ontario. Kathy Loomis takes on the American Civil War, an inspiration for illustrating two viewpoints in direct conflict in her work Crazed 11: Marching On. Soul of an Iris III, rendered by Judith Plotner, presents two distinct views of an iris in abstraction with stabbing threadwork and collage-like vigor.  Sylvia Einstein’s Fools and Followers depicts myriad profiles, each perspective layering another, mixing view upon view.

Judith Plotner: Soul of an Iris III

 Sylvia Einstein: Fools and Followers

Many of the works stand as a testament to this changing art aesthetic to more closely align with painted canvas. Indeed, the surface design techniques evidence the directness of color application and print techniques.

 

Terry Jarrard-Dimond: EvidenceTerry Jarrard-Dimond’s monoprinted work Evidence shows the strength in form and shape that is her hallmark. Shelley Brenner Baird attacks the cloth full force in her work Coincidence Theory with direct dying and monoprinting.  Jette Clover, from Belgium, evokes the papered signage found plastered on walls in the inner city by using layered images printed on fabric. 

Shelley Brenner Baird: Coincidence TheoryThis collection of works, some made specifically for this exhibition, cements my belief that the artist presents her unique story, in her own voice and medium.  Jette Clover: White Wall 7The works come from multiple perspectives, and speak in many voices. In addition, these fiber works yield nothing to other art forms for richness of expression, variation of context, and the ability to redefine and stretch beyond traditional roots. 

To be an admirer of these artists is one thing. To have them graciously accept my offer, to define a parallax view, and provide a fresh perspective through their work for this exhibition is another.  

~Pat Pauly

[Organizer and contributing artist]

Thank you Pat, for this great article.  What a creative challenge you took on! Do any of you have a personal story about a creative group challenge? Pat has been very modest about her own work, choosing to only showcase some of the other contributing artists from the show.  Click here for a glimpse into Pat Pauly's work or stop by her website.

What is it? Parallax / Views of Contemporary Quilt Artists

An exhibition of nineteen contemporary art quilters whose work embodies the concept of parallax, presenting images and ideas from multiple perspectives.

When & Where can you see it?

Kunstler Gallery, Booksmart Studio

250 North Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14607

May 31 – June 25, 2011

Opening Reception Friday, June 3, 2011 6 – 9pm

Whose art can you see there? 

Contributing Artists: Pamela Allen, Shelley Brenner Baird, Linda Bachman, Jette Clover, Dorothy Caldwell, Marcia DeCamp, Terry Jarrard-Dimond, Sandra Townsend Donabed, Sylvia H. Einstein, Priscilla Kibbee, Beverly Kondolf, Paula Kovarik, Kathleen Loomis, Jeannette DeNicolis Meyer, Dominie Nash, Pat Pauly, Judith Plotner, Jeanne Simpson, Nelda Warkentin

Oh, and remember: This exhibition runs concurrently with Fiber Art International 2011 on view at the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. -Don't miss it!