Saturday, June 6, 2015

Form, Not Function Exhibit 2015

I recently went to the Carnegie in New Albany, Indiana, to view the Form, Not Function Exhibition. (See "Upcoming Quilting/Fiber Arts Event" in the side menu for more information). This is always an impressive exhibit, and this one was no exception. I'm going to show you some of my favorites; but if you live anywhere close, you REALLY must go to see this exhibit in person.

 

This first piece was really fairly small (under twenty inches square). It looks to have been made like a quilt then attached to a gallery-wrapped canvas for presentation. I loved this piece. The bold colors and geometric shapes are right up my alley. "Cirle the Block 1" was made by Deborah Babin. (textiles, cotton fabric, machine quilted)

Other things I REALLY like to see in fiber art pieces are text of some sort and hand stitching. I think that is why I was so drawn to this entry by Judith Plotner. "Bronx Elegy" (fiber, machine/hand quilted) won the Award for Political & Social Commentary presented by Kathleen Loomis.

I am always fascinated with the texture (and how that texture is created) of many of these pieces. Virginia Spiegel's "Shagbark 7" is texture at its best. (fiber, machine/hand quilted)

You can see the texture more clearly in this closeup--amazing.

I did not marvel at how this piece was made (as I do with many of the entries). I marveled at the very successful interplay of the light and dark colors which gives such depth to the piece. The stategic placement of the red accent draws the eye around the piece. "PATHWAYS" was made by Ruby Horansky. (cotton/cotton blends fiber, machine quilted)

Even though the pieces is made of homespuns and muslin, there is an elegant simplicity to the overall design.

Jill Jensen's "Tree Scroll Trio" (woodcut print, paint, stitched, machine quilted) is a wonderful example of a really successful print.

I have seen many quilts with blocks of improvisationally-pieced solid colors. This one stood out to me because of the quilting and the circles incorporated into the piece. Make sure you zoom in on this one to check out the quilting. Karen Schulz machine quilted "Improvisation: Two Circles."

I hope I have given you enough to whet your appetite to see this show in person. I do have a few more pictures from the exhibit that I'll share in a day or two. Come on back.

 

3 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Just WOW. I love these art quilts.

Robbie said...

WOW! Love, love the Circle piece at the end!!! That's my favorite...although, they are all so unique and creative!! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I especially liked the last three. Thanks for sharing these. It isn't likely I will get there to see the exhibit any time in the next ten years. You never know, though!