Contemporary Quilt Art An Introduction & Guide

In the 1970s young artists "discovered" quilts and began experimenting with contemporary styles. Today quilt art is a staple of art exhibits nationwide. This handsomely illustrated introduction provides a useful guide to the contemporary art of quilting for quilters and collectors alike. The book illustrates the various styles of quilt art, introduces both established and emerging artists, and discusses aspects of their art as well as the process of quilt making. The reader will learn where to find the work of the best artists, and how to work directly with them when commissioning a quilt. Kate Lenkowsky gives an overview of exhibition and marketing opportunities and lists art quilt organizations at the national, regional, and local levels. Collectors will find a guide to resources on the conservation of textiles and options for displaying quilts in the home and elsewhere. A wonderful gift for anyone interested in viewing and collecting contemporary American art quilts.

Today's quilts are not just family heirlooms stored in a trunk. The concept of quilts as an art medium has created the terms "quilt art," "contemporary quilts," "studio quilts," and "art quilts." Quilts have become fiber or textile arts, part of a larger movement of crafts to fine arts status. Quilters are now artists who make wall hangings, study color and design, and display their work in galleries. Quilts are made with nontraditional materials and can be enhanced with embellishments, paint, photo transfers, or other media. Collectors and museums are acquiring quilts and displaying them as art. In this handsome book, independent scholar Lenkowsky reviews the history of the studio quilt and offers a critical discussion of the work of 19 prominent quilt artists. This very useful volume provides a guide for buyers and collectors, a glossary, a short bibliography, and biographies of the featured artists. Also offered is information on how to learn more about collecting, buying, and commissioning studio quilts, along with material on practical matters such as displaying, storing, and insuring quilts. Lushly illustrated, this volume is a feast for the eyes that will help to inspire not only quilters but also artists in other media. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.N. J. Quinlan, Nova Southeastern University, Choice, November 2008

"In quiltmaker/author Kate Lenkowsky's Contemporary Quilt Art, she educates readers with remarkable verbal and visual dexterity; she alters our perception of quilts, converting us to the religion of quilts as art. It is a revelatory experience.... The accompanying vivid color photographs of the artists' quilts is enough by itself to make you want to own this publication: Each photograph vibrates with crispness and saturated color. Indiana University Press deserves praise for what it has put together." --Deseret News Indiana University Press

"This oversized book is full of vibrant colors of a few traditional quilts, but the majority are imaginative designs and creations of contemporary men and women." --Florence Waskelewicz Clowes, Polish American Journal, August 1, 2008

"Like other crafts that have become highly collectible, art quilts are making the transition from being viewed solely as functional objects to being seen as the fine art pieces they are. A very important book for quilters and collectors alike." --Martha Sielman, Executive Director, Studio Quilt Art Associates

"The book exudes a conservative and distinguished spirit, offers impeccable print quality, and is crammed with information for quilters and their cultural community; thus it merits inclusion in any quilt library!" --Textile Forum Indiana University Press

"An enormously useful and instructive book for devotees as well as potential collectors of art quilts. I highly recommend this much needed publication." --Ursula Ilse-Neuman, Curator, Museum of Arts and Design, New York

"A well-researched and beautiful book with 142 color photographs, including detail pictures of many of the quilts, Lenkowsky goes a long way towards accomplishing her goal of making the art quilt understandable and accessible to a wide audience." --Museum Anthropology, Vol. 32 no. 2

"Lushly illustrated, this volume is a feast for the eyes that will help to inspire not only quilters but also artists in other media.... Highly recommended." --Choice

"This is a well-researched and beautifully illustrated introduction to quilt art, a field that has emerged from its historic origins and flourishes today as a dynamic expression of modern art." --Surface Design, Winter 2009

"Lenkowsky's well-researched and highly readable text accompanies a photographic gallery of art quilts by some of America's most respected makers. [A] visual feast." --Lloyd E. Herman, founding director, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum Indiana University Press

"Contemporary Quilt Art is a big, erudite, and beautifully produced book in the style done so well by university presses.... [T]his book is a must for any private or guild quilt library." --Quilt Channel, September 3, 2008

"Lenkowsky's survey of the studio-quilt movement makes an important contribution to scholarship on the evolution and current status of the medium." --Fiberarts

"A visually dazzling presentation and comprehensive discussion of contemporary work in a medium with a long history... Most important is the book's much-needed chronicle and analysis of the work of a range of innovative makers." --Janet Koplos, Senior Editor, Art in America magazine

A lavish portfolio of exquisite quilts, with a guide for collectors

Kate Lenkowsky has been quilting for more than a dozen years. Her "Call to Service," a large narrative quilt depicting volunteers serving their communities, hangs in the entryway of the Corporation for National and Community Service at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Bloomington (Indiana) Quilters' Guild, the Studio Art Quilt Associates, the Alliance for American Quilts, and the Fiber Art Study Group in Washington, D.C.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Note on Terminology

Part 1. Introduction

1. The Evolution of a New Art Form from an Old Tradition

Tradition

Early Innovations

Unique among the Crafts

The Arrival of Modern Art and Some Talented Immigrants

The Return of Studio Craft

A New Spirit Emerges in Textile and Fiber Art

The "New" Modern Art Takes Center Stage

Fiber and Textile Art Begin to Flourish

"Homemade" Makes a Comeback, and Quilt Guilds Proliferate

A New Art Form Begins to Evolve: Early Influences and Challenges

Museums Play a Role

Old Skills Are Revived

Artists Take Charge of the Medium

Building a Support System

The New Quilts

An Important Question Is Raised

Achieving Professional Status

New Challenges

Some Final Thoughts and Observations

Part 2. Artists

2. Liz Axford

3. Susan Brandeis

4. Rachel Brumer

5. Pauline Burbidge

6. Elizabeth Busch

7. Jean Williams Cacicedo

8. Dorothy Caldwell

9. Kyoung Ae Cho

10. Nancy Crow

11. Nancy Erickson

12. Carole Harris

13. Ana Lisa Hedstrom

14. Marilyn Henrion

15. Michael James

16. Jan Myers-Newbury

17. Ris? Nagin

18. Joy Saville

19. Joan Schulze

20. Julie John Upshaw

Part 3. A Guide for Buyers and Collectors

21. Educational Resources and the Market

Museums

Collections and Acquisition Policies

Making Use of Museum Resources

The International Quilt Study Center

The Quilt Index

Internet Galleries

Private Galleries

An Overview

What to Expect

Cooperative Galleries

National and International Competitions

Regional and Traveling Exhibitions

Fiber Art Destinations

Open Studio Days

Large Quilt Shows and Festivals

Local Guild Exhibitions

Student Work

Charitable Auctions

22. Suggestions for Buyers

23. Collecting: Some Well-Known Collectors and What We Can Learn from Them

24. Suggestions for Beginning Collectors

25. Working with an Art Consultant

Training and Responsibilities

Fees

26. Commissioning a Quilt

27. Displaying, Caring for, and Storing Studio Quilts

Displaying Your Quilts

Hanging Quilts

Sleeve Casing Method

Steps

Framing

Care Instructions

Storage

28. What You Should Know about Appraisals

29. Insuring Your Art

30. Resources

Museums (Selected)

Art Centers, Textile and Textile Art Centers (A Sampling)

Artist Networks (A Sampling)

Galleries (A Sampling)

Juried Art Quilt Exhibitions

Juried, Mixed Traditional and Art Quilt Exhibitions/Competitions

Juried Fiber Art Exhibitions

Juried Craft and Studio Quilt Exhibits

Fine Craft Shows and Fairs

Overseas Exhibits

Publications of Interest

Additional Educational Resources

Event Calendars

Care Resources

Display Systems

Insurance

Art Consultants

Glossary

Notes

Suggested Readings

Artist Biographies

Index