I’m still a’flutter from my trip to IQF in Houston. Jenny Lyon was my travel partner and we were a perfect combo — she is high energy and kept me on my toes. She started posting about the show before we left Houston. You can see what she had to say about it here.
When was the last time you saw a quilted Yurt? Well here’s the one I saw in Houston.
Inside the Yurt there was a comfortable chair next to the table with lamp completing the cozy ambiance of this fabric art structure. It is no surprise that this incredible structure was juried into the Tactile Architecture exhibit. I think special thanks are due to Norma Klimpke, Board President of the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts for the heroic effort it took to transport it to Houston and to Karey Bresenhan, Founder and Director Emeritus of International Quilt Festival, who made sure it had just the right spot at the exhibit. And, in her own words, here is Linzi Upton’s story behind the Yurt.
The Yurt from the back.
I was a bit dazed after seeing this installation but there was so much more to see. I have long admired Sue Reno‘s artistry and she had two pieces on view. Here is Watt & Shand #9, also part of the Tactile Architecture exhibit:
Sue used Thermofax and digital printing methods alongside traditional patchwork to record the transformation of a historic building in Lancaster, PA. Her art always begs you to come closer and I’m never disappointed.
Columbine is Sue’s entry for In Full Bloom, a juried exhibit celebrating the tradition of floral quiltmaking in memory of Helen Pearce O’Bryant.
Those are cyanotype prints on silk using flowers from Sue’s garden. Every inch of the quilt is heavily stitched. Her work is beautiful and always lays flat.
Columbine was perfectly hung with Noriko Endo’s Cherry Blossoms #8.
Heather Lair‘s Silk Road Treasures was part of the special exhibit O Canada. I loved the colors and the mix of a very modern look with a serene landscape.
A detail.
There were several opportunities to come away with small textile art treasures. I was the lucky bidder on three creations. Frieda Anderson’s Pulpit Ferns was part of the silent auction which benefited IQA.
Lisa Flowers Ross donated Starry Forest for the SAQA auction. Lisa hand dyed her fabrics and used fused applique, hand embroidery and machine quilting to finish this little stunner.
Karen Schulz donated S.P.P. 10 for the SAQA auction. She used hand-dyed fabric to machine piece and quilt this treasure.
I’ll share more of what I saw next time.
Wow! Linzi Upton certainly knows how to think, and to execute BIG!! Thanks for sharing some gems, especially of members of PMA like Sue Reno and Heather Lair.
Yes, indeed, Linzi really thinks outside the box. I talked with her a couple times. I’ll be showing more of her work soon.
I bet you don’t even remember that you missed this show a couple of years ago; this sampling shows the work has been getting better every year. Thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t agree more! The work was incredible and I’d say half of it was art quilts. Most encouraging for us textile artists.
Hi Franki, great coverage of the event, and thanks so much for featuring my work! There’s really no other experience like Houston, I’m glad you had such a good time!
You are more than welcome Sue. It’s always fun to see work from someone you know! I’m already thinking about next year.
I’m so glad you got my little quilt. It is made from my hand dyed cotton and silk fabrics.
I promise it has a good home Frieda! Thank you for supporting IQA with your beautiful work.