Quilt Artists... Virginia Abrams Natalya  Aikens Benedicte Caneill Lisa Chipetine Rachel B. Cochran Melissa C. Fowler Ed Johnetta Fowler-Miller Cindy Friedman Antoinette Hall Jutta Halpin Gloria Hansen Eileen Lauterborn Katharina Litchman Kevan Rupp Lunney Barbara Barrick McKie Kris Gregson Moss Judith Plotner Linda Rogers Carol Sara Schepps Norma Schlager Deborah Schwartzman Kate  Themel Gwyned Trefethen Melitta VanderBrooke Carolyn Lee Vehslage

LBI Foundation of Arts & Sciences

August 2-21, 2007

Review: "New Life, New Creativity' are Themes in Fiber Revolution Quilt Exhibit

by Erin Mangerluga

When we think of a quilt, we often have a notion of what it will look like. Patched pieces of floral fabrics, sometimes circular or geometric, perhaps made by our great-grandmother. A current exhibition at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies puts an end to any preconceived stereotypes.

A network of professional textile artists under the mantle of Fiber Revolution will have their contemporary quilts on display from now until Aug. 22. The goal of these artists is to promulgate fiber art as "an exciting art form." Rather than covering a bed, the textiles hang from a wall in the same way as a painting.

Each quilt shares its own personal story: the story of the artist, its creator. I imagine it as a peaceful therapy of sorts. Feeling the fabric between the fingers, running the needle and thread through the material, creating intricate patterns with carefully manipulated stitching.

Lisa Chipetine's "Ovarian Attitude" is not only stunning with its richly colored fabric, but also a very significant piece in her own life story. This particular piece of art is the tangible version of images Chipetine had in a dream, after her best friend was diagnosed with Stage III primary peritoneal cancer in 2004.

"It is my abstract representation of a woman's inner body, and the flowing of chemicals it endures in the process of chemotherapy. The light source represents the light at the end of the tunnel - a beautiful healthy life!" she wrote of her creation.

"I used all of my most expensive, beautiful fabric in this piece as I felt my friend was worth it." (Her friend survived.)

I was deeply intrigued with Norma Schlager's "Fern Dance." [pictured in article] Deep purple ferns make a dramatic presence against a backdrop of mustard yellows and blues. My favorite element of the piece was the intricate yet subtle way in which she quilted fern designs into the fabric, adding to its overall dimension. My eyes followed the motion of the stitches, amazed at the time and effort that must have gone into creating such an effect.

"When I saw this piece of hand-dyed fabric for sale at a quilt show, I just knew it would make a perfect background for purple ferns. The ferns, made of my own hand-dyed fabric, were laboriously cut out and fused down, with the edges secured by free motion satin stitch," Schlager explained.

Judy Cuddihee's quilts are part of her five-part series that she calls "Taking a Line for a Walk" inspired by the words of artist Paul Klee. The pieces have a dramatic effect and are unique in the exhibition because they are primarily designed with minimal colors - just a vibrant blue, sunshiny yellow and rich orange. She hopes one day all five pieces will hang side by side on a wall so that viewers can enjoy watching the "line" that continues from one dye-painted quilt to the next.

"Each image suits as the stimulus to a dozen interpretations...or none. Filled with light, they set a mood as surely as a spring breeze. Clean and simple. Harmony. Energy. Movement. And a line..out for a walk." Cuddihee remarked.

Patricia C. Dolan weaves a tale of her personal journey of strength and self-discovery in "Flaming Feathers." Bright purples, blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges make up her wonderful contribution to the exhibition.

"As I came out of the fog of a lengthy clinical depression, my creativity slowly re-emerged," Dolan said. "The lower portion of this quilt represents the darkness and emotional waters through which I traversed, slowly rebuilding my sense of self, one moment at a time. The brightly colored, swirling feathers symbolize my emerging spirit rising through and above the darkness. My spirit is aflame with new life, new creativity, and has emerged into the next chapter in my life's journey."

The central panels of her quilt are hand-dyed and hand-printed with feathers. She uses colored pencils to additionally color and highlight particular portions of the piece. The remainder of her creation uses commercial fabrics with fused appliqué and colored pencil application.

These are only a few of the many exciting pieces that make up the exhibit. Every so often we art lovers discover something new, and are left breathless by the work someone else has created. For me, the members of Fiber Revolution succeeded in doing just that. Each artist brought her own unique creative take on the timeless process of quilting, bringing it to new magnificent heights, and opened my eyes to something I had never discovered.

For a list of participating artists and additional examples of their work, visit www.fiberrevolution.com.
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Erin Mangeruga of Manahwkin has a B.A. in art history and an M.A. in education.

Also pictured quilts by Jeri Riggs and Deb Schwartzman.

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