| EXPANDING BOUNDARIES was organized as a sequel to its highly successful pre-decessor Crossing Boundaries which traveled throughout the United States from 1997 through 2000. This exhibition includes fresh new work by the same Art Quilt Network artists featured in Crossing Boundaries as well as the work of the group's newer members. It reflects the ever-expanding boundaries of the Art Quilt Movement as it moves between art and craft, technique and content. |
When quilts were lifted from the bed and assigned to the wall, a new era in quilt making began. Formal elements of composition and design became central to its construction when, like a painting, the quilt could finally be viewed in its entirety. Size and shape were no longer determined by the quilt's function as a bedcover. Small quilts became increasingly common. Embellishment that would have been impractical on a bedcover was now widely used. Mixed media quilts incorporated wood, plastic, and metal as integral parts of their overall design.Today's quilt makers merge tradition with new materials and technologies. Deborah Anderson, for example, was one of the first quilt makers to explore photo transfer techniques in unique and imaginative ways. David Walker continues to push the parameters of surface design through his process of bleaching, over-dyeing, and layering multiple fabrics. These techniques are combined to produce the complex color, patterns, and textures which define his quilts.
Many quilts in this exhibition borrow techniques and materials from other media. Jane Burch Cochran often gessoes common but evocative fabric objects, such as pieces of clothing, to her light weight painted canvases. These pieces are then highly embellished with various fabrics, beads, buttons, sequins, and found objects to produce a seamlessly personal narrative.
The spray painted surfaces of Susan Shie and James Acord's quilts are the foundations for their lavishly embellished "journal" quilts. Writing, combined with a myriad of images and objects - some handcrafted, some found - form ornately whimsical quilts, full of humor and delight.
Machine embroidery is carried to new heights in Vita Marie Lovett's "Primitive Door Series". While new developments in dyes and dyeing techniques have led artists like Nancy Crow to create a stunning range of richly colored quilt fabrics. Drawing inspiration from African American improvisational quilts, she uses her hand dyed fabrics along with her gift for improvisation and a flawless sense of color to create quilts which have brought her work to the forefront of the International Art Quilt Movement.
In 1986 Nancy Crow founded the Art Quilt Network. As she traveled throughout the United States teaching and lecturing, she encountered other quilt makers who were caught up in the excitement of the budding new art quilt movement. From this small group of artists, the Art Quilt Network has grown to sixty highly creative members who meet twice a year in Columbus, Ohio for a three day retreat. The purpose of these gatherings is to provide a supportive environment where new artwork, ideas, and information are shared. In this atmosphere each artist's personal vision is affirmed thus contributing to a wide range of styles and subject matter. Originality is prized. No one style is dominant.
Art Quilt Network members have lectured and given workshops all over the world. One member was awarded a Ford Foundation Grant and four members have received National Endowment for the Arts fellowship grants. Numerous others have been recipients of state and local arts council grants. All members have strong exhibition records.
Art quilts have evolved in a very short time, from traditional decorative bed covers into wall hangings which deal with the same issues, themes, and design problems encountered by artists in other media. Each quilt in Expanding Boundaries reflects the personal vision of its maker and attests to the high standards and diversity of work which can grow out of a group that nutures and supports its members.
