Saturday, December 30, 2006

Plover Lover

Plover Lover
9" x 9"
 This begins a series of small quilts. I found a piece of construction fencing blowing in the road near a construction site. Though I had seen Jeanne Williamson's series of construction fence quilts, I decided to challenge myself with using the literal pieces of construction fencing on quilts as an embellishment of sorts. For the first set of quilts, it actually became the center of meaning for which the quilts are made. In this quilt, I am looking at a plover through the fencing, a glimpse of nature through a man-made object.

Only One
9" x 9"
 The second of the series, shows another glimpse of nature through the construction fencing: the only tree left as the hills are bulldozed. The ring of buttons forming an "o" or an "Oh!, I see what it all means now." I am listening to Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi, "don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone, you pave paradise, put up a parking lot."

Balancing Act
12" x 14 1/4"
The third in the series. Now, most of the construction fencing is gone and we are left with a view of fragmented green spaces and contrived human development. This quilt is a metaphor of balancing human needs and environmental protection. Here we have a glimpse of Darwinian evolution, as the only species visible has evolved to look like ubiquitious construction fencing. The bird's wing and foot are precariously positioned (3D) in an attempt to maintain balance.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

These are great Kathy! Your statements along with images give a wonderful perspective that enriches the quilts beyond your wonderful design and construction. i really like the graphic quality. I wonder what would happen if you took one of these designs, like the center one and went large.

I need orange said...

Nice! The third one is my favorite. I like the design balance, and the colors......

-- Vicki in Michigan

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathy,

Your work is beautiful! So creative and inspiring. I'm so glad I stumbled onto your blog...Thanks.

Helen (NYC)