Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints
Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints, an exhibition focused on the art of quilt-making, presents seventeen works by seven fiber artists representing the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Curated by internationally renowned artist and teacher Nancy Crow, Material Pulses contributes to the dialogue of contemporary textile arts. Says Crow, “Material Pulses is the culmination of my mission to bring back the majesty, strength, and energy of textile works, particularly large quilts.”
Crow has seen trends in the medium follow a track of smaller quilts in more neutral colors, and asked, why? The pull of quilting lies in its large, forceful presence and the freedom to use color joyously. Making a quilt is a physical activity, involving piecing parts on working spaces that can span entire walls.
The exhibition features quilts, mixed media, and installation work. Quilts of up to 101 inches high will be featured, for dramatic scale of an art form that is often relegated to its functional qualities. The artists investigate color, pattern, and size through traditional and experimental quilt-making applications. The curator balances a focus on shapes with oversized works, exploring excellence in machine quilting and surface design.
The exhibition’s artists bring their techniques and vision to realizing this celebration of contemporary textile arts. Among them, Elizabeth Brandt balances large geometric and organic shapes, while at the same time flirting with a demanding dark palette. Jayne Willoughby’s work on one side seems contemplative, while the other spouts riotous color systems. Mary Lou Alexander has been exploring shibori (a Japanese dyeing method) for decades, and utilized this technique to exemplify the beauty of mark-making. Barb Wills printed her fabrics, both cotton and silk, with original woodcuts created from Shina wood, using cutting tools from Japan.
The exhibition artists are Denise L. Roberts, Albright, WV; Claire Benn, Surrey, England; Jayne Willoughby, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mary Lou Alexander, Hubbard, OH; Christine Mauersberger, Cleveland, OH; Barb Wills, Prescott, AZ; and Elizabeth Brandt, Holland, MI.
Curator Nancy Crow has taught quilt-making as an art form in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United states. She is the cofounder of Quilt Surface Design and Quilt National. The exhibition is organized by Mid-America Arts Alliance and ExhibitsUSA.
Tour Schedule
Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints is touring October 2018 through August 2023. The dates below reflect seven-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please contact MoreArt@maaa.org or (800) 473-3872 x208/209 for current availability.
-
October 6, 2018–January 13, 2019
Mississippi Museum of Art
Jackson, MS booked -
January 28–March 16, 2019
Price Tower Arts Center
Bartlesville, OK booked -
April 6–August 11, 2019
Mississippi Arts + Entertainment
Meridian, MS booked -
September 1–October 20, 2019
Charles H MacNider Art Museum
Mason City, IA booked -
November 10, 2019–January 7, 2020
Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum
Temple, TX booked -
January 28–March 16, 2020
Sordoni Art Gallery, Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA booked -
September 1–October 20, 2020
Stauth Memorial Museum
Montezuma, KS booked -
November 10, 2020–January 7, 2021
Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs, FL booked -
January 28–March 16, 2021
Refurbishment
Kansas City, MO booked -
April 6–May 25, 2021
City of Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA booked -
June 16–August 11, 2021
Barton Community College
Great Bend, KS booked -
January 28–March 16, 2022
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA booked -
April 6–June 2, 2022
Museum of the Mississippi Delta
Greenwood, MS booked -
June 24–October 20, 2022
Clay Center
Charleston, WV booked -
November 10, 2022–March 16, 2023
The National Willa Cather Center
Red Cloud, NE booked -
April 6–May 25, 2023
Carver County Historical Society
Waconia, MN booked -
June 16–August 11, 2023
Southern Ohio Museum
Portsmouth, OH booked
Exhibition Details
Seventeen large-scale quilts by seven artists
-
Content
Fee Includes
Press Kit
Registrar’s Packet
Programming Guide
Gallery Guide
Text Panels
Narrative Labels
Full Insurance
Installation Instructions
Custom-Designed and Built Crates -
Curated By
Nancy Crow, Cofounder of Quilt Surface Design Symposium and Quilt National
-
Organized By
ExhibitsUSA, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO
-
Out-of-Region Rental Fee
$4,150
-
In-Region Rental Fee
$2,905
-
Duration
7-week display
-
Shipping
Van Line
-
Running Feet
255
-
Square Feet
50
-
Security
Moderate B
-
Number of Crates/Total Weight
TBD
-
Insurance
The exhibition is fully insured by ExhibitsUSA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit.