Currently in the Nelson Art Gallery at U.C. Davis, is the African American Quilt show. This show features the quilts from the collections of Avis C. Robinson and Sandra McPherson.
Quilting is thought to go back to the time of the crusades, and is a very traditional art form within America as well. Quilts were a way to recycle fabrics, and ways to stay warm with many layers of fabric in one piece of cloth. This particular quilt to the left is a great example of layering of fabric.
This particular quilt is Untitled, and the artist is unknown. This quilt greatly represents the layering technique, as well as including different textures. This quilt is based on a grid pattern, with each grid containing a radial pattern. Each of the radial designs features different textures of fabrics, as well as different colors. As a whole, the quilt has a great rhythm to it. There is an alternation of the dark, star-like forms with the light colors surrounding them. Because of the variety of the shapes of the dark forms, there is a sense of balance between the light and dark shapes. In some of the squares the black forms dominate, in the others, the light forms dominate, which create a great sense of rhythm. The variety of the shapes used within the piece are interesting as well. Each square of the grid contains a different pattern, which creates a great sense of variety. But, even though each square of the grid is different, the piece is unified with the dark star-like forms.
This quilt is a great example of how people use their inspiration, which could be their old clothing, and turn into something that represents their living conditions, as well as something for purpose, like keeping warm.
Image: Untitled, artist unknown, UC Davis Nelson Gallery
No comments:
Post a Comment