AUBURN - The Art=Quilts=Art display at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center is drawing many people interested in the art of quilting, from Cayuga County natives to Geneticists from Texas such as Ruth White.
White hosted a Trunk Show that displayed various examples of her art Sunday as part of the month-long exhibit on quilting.
Her work ranges from traditional quilting patterns to designs inspired by the natural world.
From a small hanging quilt designed to look like a plant cell to intricate pieces that evoke the moon, stars and nebulae, White's quilting showcases some of the best that art quilting has to offer.
Originally from Texas, White was exposed to quilting through a display of artistic quilts by Judy Davis, a premier art quilter.
“She had quilts I had never seen before,” White said. “And I was really drawn to the more abstract designs even though in the past I didn't particularly like abstract art.”
That display, which was showcased at a meeting of the Brazos Blue Bonnet Quilting Guild Jan. 12, 1999, drove White to learn more about quilting, and then to develop her own artistic style.
Now a resident of Ithaca, White continues to develop new designs inspired by anything from molecules to canyon paintings.
One quilt in particular shows astounding detail. Based on a photograph of ancient American cave paintings, “White's Canyon” takes on three dimensions with portions of fabric raised from the main piece and the cave paintings themselves quilted into the design.
White's work truly shows the value of quilting as an art form.
White spoke of the art of quilting and also the struggle for acceptance among other, more traditional, arts.
“Quilts are made for practical purposes, they are very comforting,” she said, “but they are also an art form. Quilting is becoming accepted as an art form, and it isn't seen as just a craft anymore.”
Art is nothing new in White's life, as her adopted father was a painter and ensured that she was exposed to all kinds of art growing up.
“I tried pottery, calligraphy, illumination, all sorts of things, but art quilting is just fantastic,” she said.
“My father was really into bad puns, and I've kind of inherited that. I love playing with the titles of my pieces and making them a fun little play on words.”
Her titles often blend scientific terms with a whimsical feel, as the pieces themselves express a beauty far beyond what their sometimes humble names may imply.
People filled the Schweinfurth's upstairs auditorium to look at White's work and appreciate and admire the beauty of this crafted art.
Her work ranges from traditional quilting patterns to designs inspired by the natural world.
From a small hanging quilt designed to look like a plant cell to intricate pieces that evoke the moon, stars and nebulae, White's quilting showcases some of the best that art quilting has to offer.
Originally from Texas, White was exposed to quilting through a display of artistic quilts by Judy Davis, a premier art quilter.
“She had quilts I had never seen before,” White said. “And I was really drawn to the more abstract designs even though in the past I didn't particularly like abstract art.”
That display, which was showcased at a meeting of the Brazos Blue Bonnet Quilting Guild Jan. 12, 1999, drove White to learn more about quilting, and then to develop her own artistic style.
Now a resident of Ithaca, White continues to develop new designs inspired by anything from molecules to canyon paintings.
One quilt in particular shows astounding detail. Based on a photograph of ancient American cave paintings, “White's Canyon” takes on three dimensions with portions of fabric raised from the main piece and the cave paintings themselves quilted into the design.
White's work truly shows the value of quilting as an art form.
White spoke of the art of quilting and also the struggle for acceptance among other, more traditional, arts.
“Quilts are made for practical purposes, they are very comforting,” she said, “but they are also an art form. Quilting is becoming accepted as an art form, and it isn't seen as just a craft anymore.”
Art is nothing new in White's life, as her adopted father was a painter and ensured that she was exposed to all kinds of art growing up.
“I tried pottery, calligraphy, illumination, all sorts of things, but art quilting is just fantastic,” she said.
“My father was really into bad puns, and I've kind of inherited that. I love playing with the titles of my pieces and making them a fun little play on words.”
Her titles often blend scientific terms with a whimsical feel, as the pieces themselves express a beauty far beyond what their sometimes humble names may imply.
People filled the Schweinfurth's upstairs auditorium to look at White's work and appreciate and admire the beauty of this crafted art.
