Contemporary art quilts pack a big punch, sometimes out of proportion to their size. Small quilts present a special challenge to the textile artist; how to get the biggest punch into a small area. Techniques that work for a large area don’t always translate into a small piece. On the other hand, small quilts give the artist a chance to experiment without investing the same time or materials that a larger piece requires.
Small works in three dimensions also present challenges for the artist. Proportion and scale and reality vs. fantasy become critical issues. The sculptural shapes, literally adding another dimension to the exhibit, will give this show an extra explosive “punch.”
What separates an art quilt from a traditional quilt? Kate Lenkowsky, in her 2008 book, Contemporary Quilt Art, could do no better than repeat this quote from twenty-five years ago, when Janet Koplos defined art quilting in Fiberarts magazine:
Among the factors that seem to define art today [1986], are originality, an ability to communicate an idea or emotion or some sort of message, a transcendence of the literal, and a quality of mystery or multivalence. Art involves some personal expression by the maker as well as expressive choices that are not simply arbitrary, but have some explainable meaning. Art is not just a concrete object; rather, it operates on a metaphoric level--the concrete object refers to other things, and the personal idea or image suggests a universal that can be shared. Art is never a simple or obvious statement; instead there is always a depth to it that holds our interest and allows the art work to be reinterpreted over time. (“When is Fiber Art ‘Art’?” Fiberarts, March/April 1986, 34-35.)
In conjunction with this exhibit, TACtile Textile Arts Center is proud to be a Partner of the 2010 Biennial of the Americas. See www.biennialoftheamericas.org for more information.
Tamarac Square 7777 East Hampden Avenue Suite #114 Denver Colorado 80231 Located inside the mall atrium, lower level, at the opposite end of the theaters by Rodney's. 720.524.8886 info@tactilearts.org
Small works in three dimensions also present challenges for the artist. Proportion and scale and reality vs. fantasy become critical issues. The sculptural shapes, literally adding another dimension to the exhibit, will give this show an extra explosive “punch.”
Among the factors that seem to define art today [1986], are originality, an ability to communicate an idea or emotion or some sort of message, a transcendence of the literal, and a quality of mystery or multivalence. Art involves some personal expression by the maker as well as expressive choices that are not simply arbitrary, but have some explainable meaning. Art is not just a concrete object; rather, it operates on a metaphoric level--the concrete object refers to other things, and the personal idea or image suggests a universal that can be shared. Art is never a simple or obvious statement; instead there is always a depth to it that holds our interest and allows the art work to be reinterpreted over time. (“When is Fiber Art ‘Art’?” Fiberarts, March/April 1986, 34-35.)