Pushing the Surface
A Contemporary Art Quilt Show
May 29th - September 6th, 2021
Pushing the Surface, will be open to the public on May 29th. The exhibition is a dance of color, beauty, ingenuity, and story that showcases pieces made by 22 artists with national and international recognition. Although most of the works share the basic structural characteristics of a quilt—joining at least two layers of fiber with stitching, they break from tradition in their design methods. Surfaces may be pieced and patched as one finds in a traditional quilt, but they may also be painted, dyed, laser printed, appliquéd or fused. The techniques are as varied as the subject matter, which is as varied as the effects. In the end the artists create a truly new statement that speaks to mind and spirit like all great art is meant to do.
Participating artists are from across the United States as well as from Canada and Japan. Many are internationally known, having their quilts featured in books, periodicals, and traveling exhibitions. Visitors will see some amazing works such as Nebraskan artist Michael James’ Jaali 2 (Udaipur). His piece combines the old with the new by incorporating digitally-developed and digitally-printed aspects. A piece that really “pushes the surface” is Volupte' made by Kay Kahn, a quilt artist from New Mexico. Unlike traditional quilts, Volupte' stands upright. It has a mesmerizing design, and being 3-D, it really redefines what we think of when we hear the word “quilt”.
Participating artists are from across the United States as well as from Canada and Japan. Many are internationally known, having their quilts featured in books, periodicals, and traveling exhibitions. Visitors will see some amazing works such as Nebraskan artist Michael James’ Jaali 2 (Udaipur). His piece combines the old with the new by incorporating digitally-developed and digitally-printed aspects. A piece that really “pushes the surface” is Volupte' made by Kay Kahn, a quilt artist from New Mexico. Unlike traditional quilts, Volupte' stands upright. It has a mesmerizing design, and being 3-D, it really redefines what we think of when we hear the word “quilt”.
Support for this exhibit has been provided by the Mary Taylor Family Fund and The Ohio Arts Council also helped fund this exhibit with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.