Outstanding Art Quilts: The International Quilt Festival

Art quilting involves the use of both modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects, which are often displayed on the wall like paintings. These pieces are typically based on the maker's experiences, imagery, and ideas, rather than traditional quilt patterns.  Here are some outstanding art quilts from leading practitioners of the art.

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Heights by Maya Chaimovich (Israel)

Israeli quilt artist Maya Chaimovich, who has exhibited in Quilt National, was first a woodworker and jeweler before she discovered fiber art and her passion for contemporary quilt art. This gorgeous collage-style piece features many different bright colors and contrasts. Her free-motion machine quilting recalls the contouring of topographic maps.

Deluge by Libby Lehman

Libby Lehman’s quilts are outstanding examples of contemporary artistry and original. Over the decades, she was recognized internationally for her intricate quilts and trend-setting techniques. Deluge is a three-piece whole cloth top. Machine appliqued shapes were added, which meander across the surface, creating movement and transparency.  Deluge is further embellished with yarn and thread.

Aquarium #1 - Fish Tails by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

Hand dyed and painted, with all the curves machine pieced, Aquarium #1 is one of Caryl Bryer Fallert’s enlarged semi-abstract studies of natural forms. She intertwines organic shapes, changing tonal values in the colors to bring bright elements forward and pull darker motifs into the background. This artist’s expertise in both design and stitching have won her numerous Best of Show awards and other honors. 

 Lichenometry by Betty Busby

In science, “lichenometry” is a technique that uses lichen growth to determine the age of exposed rock. The beauty of these living organisms is depicted in this stunning piece of the same name by Betty Busby. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, where she majored in ceramics. She then founded a ceramic tile manufacturing studio and ran it for 18 years before moving to New Mexico. She has been working full-time making fiber art and teaching since 2003.

 Matchstick Moons #3 by Melody Johnson

A member of the Chicago School of Fusing self-named group of artists, Melody Johnson is best known for her powerful use of color in abstract design. Matchstick Moons #3 perfectly balances line and shape within a dynamic multi-colored surface.

Image credit:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lichenometry is from the Frank Klein Collection.  All other quilts shown here are from the International Quilt Festival Collection.

Best of the 2015 World Quilt Show in Florida Part 2

Florida's World Quilt Show in West Palm Beach is a great event to attend, amidst the warmth and sunshine,  while most of  the U.S.A. shivers under winter's blanket. We marveled at all the spectacular quilts from around the globe!  Planet Earth indeed holds a huge variety of wonderful quilting talent. We're happy to be sharing this series of photos from Florida.

Let's Do The Dresden Twist by Teri L. Cherne, U.S.A.

Blue ribbon winner for Best of Country award -- U.S.A., Terri writes, "So much fun! All the wide open space made for great play time!"  Terri's Dresden twists, done in vibrant polka dot fabric, are an original design, which is hand appliqued, machine pieced, and machine quilted. The outer border of alternating scallops and points adds a vibrant energy to this creation.

Close-up, Let's Do The Dresden Twist by Teri L. Cherne

Look at the large variety of contemporary quilting patterns here. We love the bubbles interspersed with the wavy lines.

Summer Fairy by Kazue Tsukayama, Japan

Blue ribbon winner for Best Hand Workmanship- Innovative Quilts, Kazue notes, "Blue sky in the summer and colorful flowers. The flower fairies enjoy this!  The quilt is finished with embroidery and applique. "

Close-up, Summer Fairy by Kazue Tsukayama

In this delightful quilt, the little fairy is all dressed in lavender, with mint green accents. We love the charming daisies which adorned her wrists and headband. All in all, this scene is so adorable and colorful.  Kazue's original design is machine pieced, hand appliqued, and hand quilted.

I Dreamt of Being a Flower by Magah Miranda, Brazil

 

We've never shown a quilt from Brazil before, so were thrilled to see this one at the show. Here's another tiny fairy-like figure,  no doubt dancing an energetic samba, with a flower bud for a hat.  The quilter writes, " I always have wanted to dress myself as a flower, especially when my mother used to take me to Holambra, a city close to Campinas, Soe Paul, my city in Brazil. It is very famous because of the first class flowers that are produced there. I had the opportunity to go there several times and have very much enjoyed those visits since I was a little girl. "

Mystery by Maya Chaimovich, Israel

Maya states, "The beginning of a new quilt is a mysterious adventure for me, of which I don't know the end. Life is also a mystery to us; that is the beauty of it."
Maya Chaimovich is the author of the book, Simply Creative Quilts.  You can read a review of her art quilts at The American Craft Council.

Close up, Mystery by Maya Chaimovich, Israel

We resisted the temptation to touch this quilt (as we always do). However, these rich, color saturated violets and rose tone shimmering fabrics with their various textures really appeals to one's tactile senses. Maya's work is machine pieced, machine appliqued, and machine quilted.

Still Life with Copper Coffee Pot by Sheila Walwyn,South Africa

Sheila explains, "The idea for this design was sparked after I had spent some time looking up the still life quilts of abstract artist Dominie Nash. I photographed and sketched a still life which I had set up and then followed with a collage process in fabric. First, I pieced and layered a background with cottons, organzas, chiffons, and tulles; then fused on the still life elements and finally embellished the work with machine quilting."

Close-up, Still Life with Copper Coffee Pot by Sheila Walwyn, South Africa

Strong angular lines of this sophisticated, very enjoyable creation  provide a contrast to the circular curves of the coffee pot and the fruit. In this close-up, you can see some of the tulle netting fabric that Sheila used for embellishment.

Ribbons and Blooms by Kate Behrens

Kate says, "My quilt is inspired by the 2007 Block of the Month "Ribbons and Blooms" by Beth Ferrier at Applewood Farm Patterns. I pieced the blocks on my sewing machine and also joined the blocks by machine. All applique work and the quilting have been done entirely by hand. I used all batik fabrics."

Close-up, Ribbons and Blooms by Kate Behrens

We enjoyed all this fabulous hand applique and hand quilting.  Lavenders, pinks, and fuchsias contrast so prettily with the bright orange-yellow ribbons and sunburst blocks next to them. ( See larger photo).  Kate has done a superb job of color selection here.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.