September 10 - November 7, 2020
From the Center for Contemporary Arts:
“Artists have long been inspired by the vast Texas landscape with its diversity, grandeur and mystery that unrolls from the Gulf to Staked Plains, to the Borderlands and the Hill Country. “A Sense of Place: Texas Landscape Art Quilts” is a juried exhibition of works by 30 artists that is scheduled to tour throughout Texas from 2020 to 2022.
The 30 artists whose work is included in the exhibition explored the Texas landscape to create art quilts in styles ranging from representational to abstract styles. Their artwork examines our human attachment to specific places, and what makes those places meaningful and unique. Many of the artists exhibit their work widely and frequently, and several are highly regarded instructors as well. Juror Joshua Willis comments, “I feel that the work represented in this art show will bring a sense of unity across the state, with themes such as sustainability, hard work, pride, and humor.” He also notes the variety of styles included in the exhibit. “Like the state of Texas, which has a large variety of vital natural resources, textile artists living within the state exemplify a keen similarity—a complex collection of skills, styles and materials that compose a patchwork in the shape of the State of Texas.” Indeed, the art quilts in this exhibition were created using a wide array of materials and techniques. The artists may choose to use commercially available cottons, upcycled fabrics, or nonwoven materials. Many of the artists manipulate their fabrics using various surface design techniques like dyeing, printing, and painting, or they might use their own digital designs printed on fabric. The works might be pieced, appliqued, or collaged using machine- or hand-stitching or fusing techniques. Quilting can be executed by machine or by hand, and some artists choose to heavily embellish the work with additional stitching and embroidery.
All the artwork in the exhibition was created by members of a nonprofit organization, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA), whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, documentation, and publications. SAQA has regional chapters throughout the United States and abroad. SAQA Texas developed this regional exhibition to provide its audience with a more in-depth understanding of the range of expression and processes of the art quilt form.
The Studio Art Quilt Associates are exhibiting “A Sense of Place: Texas Landscape Art Quilts” at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Gallery 3 upstairs from September 10 through November 7, 2020. The Center’s current gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 12 PM to 4 PM. Visit center-arts.com for more information.”
Center for Contemporary Arts - Abilene
220 Cypress Street
Abilene, 79601 TX
(325) 677-8389
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