Sew New: Contemporary Art Quilts
Reception and Gallery TalkThursday, November 4, 7pm
The artists included in Sew New; Contemporary Art Quilts are from the West Coast, the middle states, south and the east coasts as well as Canada, providing a full and well-articulated overview of the dynamic and ever expanding contemporary art quilt movement.
Jill Ault, Ann Arbor Michigan, Ann Brauer, Shelbourne Falls, MA, Cher Cartwright, British Columbia, Canada, Susan Else, Santa Cruz, CA, Randy Frost, Bronxville, NY, Linda Gass, Los Altos, CA, Marilyn Henrion, New York, New York, Ann Johnston, Lake Oswego, OR, Phil D. Jones, Denver, CO, Karen Miller, Corvallis, OR, Paula Nadelstern, NY, NY, Eleanor McCain, Shalimar, Florida, Diane Savona, Passaic, New Jersey, Mary Stoudt, Reading ,PA
Sew New: Contemporary Art Quilts features the work of 14 artists working in an assemblage of at least three layers fiber and/or mixed media formally and traditionally defined by the term “quilt”. The exhibition highlights the expansion of the boundaries of quilt making.
If word quilt conjures up particular quaint and cozy images of homespun domestic craft, you will be surprised and delighted by this exhibition. These dynamic contemporary artists take a quilting tradition and amp it up it, using 21st century materials, a jolt of color, a conceptual twist- transforming it into an unexpectedly fresh and vibrant new medium.
Quilting takes on a new dimension, literally, with the three-dimensional figurative work of California artist, Susan Else. A three-dimensional chess set executed in fabric is just one of this artist’s whimsical creations. Some of the other non-traditional and techniques employed by these artists include Katazome (Japanese stencil) pioneered in this country by Karen Miller of Oregon, photography based screen printed fabrics by Marion Henrion and kaleidoscopic piecing work made famous by Paula Nadelstern, both from New York.
The shrinking globe, the web of images and information available on the internet have all increased the availability of new raw and source materials and shaped the direction of these quilts – some are hand-dyed silks shaped into aerial views of landscapes (Linda Gass, California) or iridescent, transparent layers of organza (Jill Ault, Michigan), to name only a few.
In contrast to quilters from the past who were largely self taught, many of these artists have degrees in fine art and/or art history. Textiles may not be the first or the only medium that these fine artists use. They are art-educated members of the contemporary art world.
Quilts were first recognized as “art” and presented at a major art venue, The Whitney Museum of American Art in 1971 (Abstract Designs in American Quilts). The Gee Bend Quilt exhibition was first presented in 2002 and traveled extensively and highlighted the abstract and aesthetic qualities of abstract quilting. In the 30 plus years that separated these two major exhibitions quilt artists have been challenged to maintain the status of their quilts as “art”. There has been quiet and steady growth in shows of quilts in venues equal to those of exhibitions of sculptors or painters. In the past ten years the momentum has been extraordinary. The first Quilt National took place in 1979 as a grass roots effort Athens, Ohio. The 2011 Quilt National is the largest and most prestigious international quilt biennial.
Curated by Kenise Barnes, owner and director of Kenise Barnes Fine Art (est. 1995) in Larchmont, New York. The gallery specializes in contemporary emerging and mid career investment quality art. With more that 25 years experience in the arts, Barnes is a frequent guest curator, speaker and advisor.
Additional images from the exhibition available upon request.
Gallery Events:
Music in the Gallery
Sunday, November 21, 4pm
Song Patterns: A TapestryClaire Simard, soprano, Matt Van Brink, keyboard and accordion
A genre-spanning concert weaves new takes on old classics, working songs, and songs celebrating life & change. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 children and seniors. Tickets available at door.
Song Patterns: A TapestryClaire Simard, soprano, Matt Van Brink, keyboard and accordion
A genre-spanning concert weaves new takes on old classics, working songs, and songs celebrating life & change. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 children and seniors. Tickets available at door.
Quilt Appraisals
Saturday, November 20, 12pm
The OSilas Gallery will open its doors for a special day of quilt appraisals! Led by Eugenia Barnes, certified by the American Quilt Society. Appraisal Inclusions: Report of Certification, Appraisal, Care and Maintenance Information Sheet, Record sheet for personal collections, personal works or family pieces.
Eugenia Barnes is an appraiser certified by the American Quilt Society, and served on the Appraiser Certification Committee for seven years. Ms. Barnes has traveled extensively as an appraiser, lecturer, judge and teacher of quilt and is listed in "Who's Who in American Quilting," 1st edition.
Reservations required. Appraisals $35 each. A portion of all proceeds benefits the Gallery.
Children in the Gallery
ARTyFACTS
Saturday, December 4, 3:30-5PM
Join us in the Gallery to explore the Exhibition, followed by a hands-on art project in the Art Studio inspired by the exhibit. Free! Children ages 5-10, accompanied by an adult.
The OSilas Gallery Welcomes Groups! Contact us to create a program tailored for your needs. We offer private tours, workshops or professional development programs for groups, including both educators and their students. Contact Director Patricia Miranda for more info at 914-337-9300, x2173 or email patricia.miranda@concordia-ny.edu
Lectures, receptions, and films are free and open to public and no reservations are required unless otherwise noted. Ample, free parking is available on the Concordia College campus. The OSilas Gallery is located in the Donald A. Krenz Academic Center on the second level of Scheele Memorial Library on Concordia College's Bronxville campus.
Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm - 5:00pm
OSilas Gallery at Concordia College
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