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Life might be described as a ride through time and space, so what better theme for an exhibition than one that invites work depicting facets of life in motion! From literal rides (bicycles, horses, trains, planes, surfboards) to figurative rides (through the years, through parenthood, through wars, through happy times or politically challenging times), quilters can find ways to depict movement and action in their work.
This exhibit captures life’s exciting rides using textiles and thread.
Following a career in university publications, Carolyn Skei now focuses on innovative fiber techniques. Her art quilts have been juried into Form/Not Function, Quilts=Art=Quilts, Interpretations, Sacred Threads, the International Quilt Festival, and multiple SAQA traveling exhibitions.
A member of North Texas SAQA and Dallas Area Fiber Artists, she speaks regularly and gleans prizes in Metroplex exhibitions. She treasures two Juror’s Choice awards from the Dallas Quilt Show. Her website is www.carolynskei.com.
When I turned 90, more than one birthday card or gift bore the words “What a Ride!” It followed quite naturally that I would suggest the phrase as the theme for a SAQA virtual gallery. Life is indeed quite a ride, so why wouldn’t members have a trove of quilts ready to go?
It has been a privilege to study the 83 pieces submitted. Many of them immediately leapt off my computer screen for their dynamic compositions or exciting colors. The ride was mirrored in the palette, the contrasts or the design. Others captured my attention with literal storytelling. The ride was encapsulated in the wit or drama of the story.
I was delighted that the submitted quilts ran the gamut from literal rides to figurative ones. (Bikes topped the vehicle count.) But whether a piece was pictorial or completely abstract — realistic or expressionistic — the final choice came down to whether the quilt itself exhibited the energy to take the viewer for a ride. Lively design, vibrant color combinations. meticulous details, exciting fabrics, meaningful stitching — all influenced my final choices.
Your submitted quilts sprang into motion in countless fascinating ways. Thanks so much for a remarkable ride!
Judith Steinlage Ahlborn (Colorado, USA) - Paddlewheel of the Natchez
Iina Alho (Norway) - Accept the Miracle
Emma Allen (Virginia, USA) - Biking Buddies
Karolina Bąkowska (Poland) - Isetta 300
Cynthia Busic-Snyder (New York, USA) - Red is for Metaphor
Lisa Charles (Wyoming, USA) - When Planes Meet Trains
Catheryn Cheal (Michigan, USA) - Kayaking at Ketchikan
Janet Darcher (Washington, USA) - 3-2-1 Blast Off
Anat David Artman (Israel) - The journey of life/the burden of life
Mel Dugosh (Texas, USA) - Glimmer
Petra Fallaux (Pennsylvania, USA) - Scar Tracks
Pat Forster (Western Australia, Australia) - Breakers
Mary Kay Fosnacht (Kansas, USA) - Out For a Spin
Debra Goley (Arizona, USA) - Taking Flight: My Great Aunts
Sarah Hubbard (Georgia, USA) - Almost Heaven
Margaret Inkster (British Columbia, Canada) - Look at Me!
Laura Jaszkowski (Oregon, USA) - What A Long Strange Trip It's Been
Ann Johnston (Oregon, USA) - Merry-go-round
Kathie R Kerler (Oregon, USA) - Sheer Joy on Two Wheels
Louise Krasniewicz (New Jersey, USA) - The Ride Home
Polly Matsuoka (California, USA) - Tofino Forest Ride
Lena Meszaros (France) - Moving
Elizabeth Michellod-Dutheil (Switzerland) - Lambeaux
Stefanie Wilson Neuner (South Carolina, USA) - I would like GO
Kathryn Pellman (California, USA) - Route 66 Cactus Landscape
Karen Ponischil (North Carolina, USA) - Timeline of My Life
Meena Schaldenbrand (Michigan, USA) - A Snowbird's Escape
Roswitha Schmit (Austria) - Karussell (Carousel)
Jeannie Schoennagel (Texas, USA) - Catch Me If You Can
Candace Hackett Shively (Georgia, USA) - Mini Mania
Norma Slabbert (New Zealand) - Searching Home – A Journey
Rosanna Lynne Welter (Utah, USA) - Girl in a Tree
Susan Yanos (Indiana, USA) - I Sleep, But My Heart Is Awake
