WHAT MAKES A 'GOOD ART' QUILT?

© Barbara Macey

Ozquilt Network Newsletter #29, September 1998

This article was inspired by a question from a quilter new to art quilting and wanting to know where to start.

Unlike the traditional quilt, the art quilt is meant to be the unique expression of the maker, the material evidence of a personal quest which may contain elements of the mental, the physical, the emotional, the intellectual and the spiritual. It represents what takes place in the maker's own time and place, not someone else's. It is not appropriate to 'poach' someone else's life experience from another time or place. The maker seeks to break new ground rather than follow after someone else.

Above all else, a good art quilt is original. It is NOT a copy of someone else's quilt with a few details changed or a different colour scheme. It is not a copy of a painting, a weaving or some other art work though it may be inspired by one. It is NOT a quilt made in a workshop under a tutor's instruction. Of course workshops do influence people, but they are best regarded as a starting point for developing new ideas. Experienced tutors can often demonstrate manageable ways of thinking about quilt design but they usually intend their students to strike out in their own direction, not follow them blindly. It's not just that there could be infringement of copyright. Even with the permission of those concerned it is not acceptable (unless in a post modern context!) to use someone else's ideas in such direct ways.

The successful art quilter finds her own little niche, one that no-one else occupies, and develops it, making an in-depth study of all aspects of her chosen form of quiltmaking. She finds a special niche by using a distinctive approach to the form her quilts take (techniques used, colour, visual style, eg geometric, soft-edged etc) and their subject matter (landscape, emotions, observations of life, satire, humour, parody, political statements, narrative etc). Making a point of having no particular subject matter or meaning is another option. Of course form and subject matter must be in harmony, forming an appropriate alliance. The development of a personal style, the establishment of a unique niche, is an important step.

Of course originality isn't the only important attribute of the successful quilter. The quilt is a very visual mode of expression and has remained so in the face of the fashionable trend towards making the accompanying text more important than the work of art itself or indeed unrelated to the art. In many such works the concept of visual expression seems to be superseded. This is not true of quilts. The best art quilts have an arresting quality, something that draws the viewer irresistibly. This is hard to define as each one is different. A quick look at a full colour publication such the Quilt National catalogue illustrates the point. To be arresting, a quilt may be strident, but it doesn't have to be. Some of the most arresting quilts have a calm, still quality. It could even be considered an exaggeration of stillness in some cases.

Exaggeration is often an important part of quiltmaking; so is paradox. One of the most amusing examples of paradox I've seen was not in a quilt but a panel impeccably embroidered with the words 'Punk Lives' and appropriate images. The most pedantic and fastidious would find nothing to complain of in the technique, but ....

An art quilt cannot be safe and there is no such thing as an art quilt that is too daring. There is no formula for success. It's necessary to take a risk with every quilt, no matter how experienced the quiltmaker. When every quilt is a new and different adventure, there are absolutely no guarantees. It's a bit nerve-racking sometimes, but it's also very exciting and satisfying - when it works. And when it doesn't, it's wise to regard it as a learning experience and move on to the next quilt. Failing is part of succeeding; it's important to keep making quilts at a steady pace to gain insight into your own creative process. Experience counts!

All quilters need to be able to look at their own work with a critical eye. It may seem strange to the beginner but some of us don't like our quilts when they're finished. Sometimes it's because it takes a while to get used to them. It's helpful to hang a new quilt up and look at it for a few months to really get to know it. Sometimes a quilt genuinely turns out to be a dismal failure and it's best to quietly put it away - in the garbage bin. If you can exercise this kind of discrimination you're on the right track. To enter one of your 'doubtful' quilts in an exhibition would of course be self defeating.

For those just starting out it may seem daunting to enter an exhibition when there is a chance of being rejected. But take heart; absolutely everyone has had rejections. It's an unavoidable part of being an art quilter. Being accepted is very encouraging; it's best to be philosophical about occasional rejection, look critically at your work and try again. The ambitious art quilter needs a certain amount of talent, a lot of persistence and the ability to take setbacks.

And what are the rewards? Just getting into an exhibition is enough for most of us! A few will win awards and honours. Some will be able to sell their quilts. But making a living by selling art quilts is not yet a reality. Most people need to find other ways of earning money. But there are compensations. The actual quiltmaking is a great pleasure; the friendships made with quilters all over Australia and beyond are of incalculable value.

© Barbara Macey 1998