Cory Allender | The Plaid Portico

I’m learning about my own aesthetic in the quilting medium just by observing which quilts I am drawn to when I cover quilt exhibitions. I just go around and take photos of the ones that draw me in and that I want to see more of and look at more closely. Most of the time what attracts me is the composition as a strong piece of abstract art (my first love). Other times it is the sparkling that happens in more traditional quilts that as I get closer seems like peeling an onion revealing layers of artistry and intrigue.

Then there is COLOR of course, the use of which is a big part of all quilts, but sometimes just by itself it acts like a magnet (color junkie that I am). And texture. Quilts are displayed at shows as 2D art, but by their nature they are sculptural and textural. The quilts I actually use are not only beautiful, but there is the comfort factor including the touch on my skin, and intimacy of proximity and the views from underneath and close-up. There is also always a sense that these have been made over a period of time by someone’s hands. The quilt becomes an object that has been formed by thousands of stitches, artistic decisions, and is imbued with all history of the fabric and material chosen to be part of it as well as all the hands that sew, cut, piece and quilt. I experience it all as very rich, sometime overwhelmingly so, but mostly its inspiring and comforting.

And without further ado, more quilts from the Quilt Exhibition at Quilt Market 2012 in Houston.