Art quilts

Distinguishing art quilts from the main category of quiltsColour Theory and Patterns
can be difficult. Art quilts can be created using any ofThe colours used in art quilts are determined by their
the techniques of a quilt - piecing, applique, whole cloth,creators, but quilts which go beyond the basic "bed
or even machine embroidery. These are techniques,quilt" are usually distinguishable by non-traditional colours
though, and art involves more than mere technique.or pattern interpretation. Fiber Artists such as Valerie
Meaningfulness, in whatever way the viewerPage of PageQuilts, or Melody Crust, demonstrate
perceives it, is involved in the experience of an art quilt,their vision by the use of complementary and
as opposed to a quilt built as an exercise in craft orcontrasting colours, and complex and unpredictable but
technical capabilities, or for practical bedroombalanced patterns. The result may be mathematical in
purposes.nature, as is the case with the Fibonacci number textile
The term 'art quilt' itself is controversial, since it impliespatterns Valerie Page creates.
that quilts in other categories are not art. Quilts haveQuilts are named
always been made, however, with their aesthetic valueDuring the late 1900's, the quilt community started to
as a consideration, even when makers were creatingencourage quilters to label their quilts, starting with a
objects for practical use in their homes and bedrooms.name for the quilt, in addition to their own name, and
To this extent, nearly all quilts evidence artistic/creativecompletion date for the work. This was an important
expression and their functional raison d'etre as well asstep in taking the craft of quilting into the art realm. A
their materials and techniques support their visualquilt's name implies there is some meaning to a quilt
statements, expressions that can be as powerfulbeyond its creation, to whatever degree, though
viewed on a bed as from the flat expanse of a gallerymeaning is found in quilts without names as well.
wall. What perhaps distinguishes the art of theEmotion in an art quilt
home-based maker from that of the studio-basedOne aspect of some art quilts is the ability of the piece
maker are context and intent. The works of makersto evoke an emotion in the viewer. While examples of
such as the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabamaquilts displaying the darker end of the emotional
demonstrate, however, that notions of whatspectrum are still rare, they do exist. Quilts focused on
distinguishes a so-called 'art quilt' from an everydaythe September 11, 2001 attacks have particularly
'bed quilt' may reside less in the minds of the makersexplored grief and anger.
than in the eyes of the beholders.