Starting An Art Conversation
The art conversation must start wherever the art viewer is. Everyone is certainly familiar with the materials I use to make my art, fabric. When the art viewing public has a personal experience with your artistic materials does this have a positive or negative effect on how they view your art? Does it make the art seem less worthy of their attention or somehow less valued? Or just the opposite?
The Fabric of our Lives
I create art quilts, wall art from fabric,the material that literally the whole world has a relationship with. Many times I repurpose the fabric of my own clothing into my art.When we go shopping for clothes, touching the fabric is part of our decision making process. What will it feel like against the skin? The Do Not Touch signs in my studio does not always deter everyone. We are used to touching fabric.
Start with Gramma’s quilt and move on
Often we share a common experience about a grandmother’s handmade quilt. Creating bridges in communication is helpful.This beginning must move on to a discussion of the actual art or the process to make the piece. No matter the artistic form, the conversation begins where the studio visitors are. Then it can move forward to explain the different processes.
I explain that I often use redirected materials from the San Francisco Design Center. This affords me interesting fabrics that are unique and definately not available at a quilt shop. Quilt shops cater to traditional quilters who must use 100% cotton because their quilts need to be washed. My wall art does not need to be washed.I am free to use unusual fabrics.
Remarks from Visitors to my studio Worth Repeating
“Oh, I didn’t realize that it was fabric! “
“Looking at your art is like taking a mini vacation!”
“You are taking an old art and making it new.”
From the comments I have heard, it is easy to believe that people recognize art when they see it no matter the materials.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/forging-your-own-art-path/
Learn more about art quilts from SAQA, Studio Art Quilt Associates.
