Inspiration: Lily Lui's Textile Vessels

Lily Lui

Textiles are very flexible and can be used in so many different ways.  I think this is part of the fascination for us.  Functional such as clothing, curtains, towels, bedding quilting, embroidery, knitting and, of course, art.  Any regular reader knows I really like objects which subvert our understanding of the textile form and so I was thrilled to discover Lily Lui’s work in Paducah. 

Lily Lui

With a background in textiles and ceramics, Lily creates beautiful 3D vessel shapes from tiny pieces of fabric, exquisitely rolled into shape and then joined together.  The forms she makes are undulate, like her fabric rolls; interesting kind of bowl shapes.

Lily’s work was included in the Fantastic Fibers exhibition at the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, and also in her studio/shop ‘Created For U’, which was very close to the Exhibition Center.

Lily Lui

I can’t find many details about Lily’s work online for you to look at, but I did discover this fantastic blogpost by Rose Hughes, showing how Lily creates these beautiful vessels.  I would have loved to bring one home, but unfortunately I had a soft suitcase.  I really need to grow up and stop using rucksacks and get a hard suitcase so I can purchase proper art when I travel!

Lily Lui

Lily Lui

Out & About: Reflections on the not-so-mean-streets of New York

Reflections on buildings are a very popular subject matter for textile artists and it is easy to see why.  The grid structures; the gradations in colour; the relation to quilt blocks and so on.  Plus they are fun to photograph.  I haven’t made any work using reflections yet (at least I don’t think I have), but I do love to photograph them. 

So when I arrived in New York, tired and at the end of a long day of travel a few weeks ago, I determined that I was going to make the most of my time there and headed out with my camera.  It was a lovely evening and the sun was beginning to set casting the most beautiful, quick changing reflections – something I don’t get to see living in a low rise Scottish village (although we do get the most amazing sunsets). 

New York felt very different from the last time I visited, sometime last century – it had a relaxed sense, perhaps because it was a Sunday evening and no one was rushing in a normal workday manner.  The streets were busy, but everyone seemed to be out enjoying the spectacle – maybe we were all tourists together!

Hopefully one of these photos can inspire you to make some new work this week.

Out & About: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

The lovely waterfall at the NGA, helped by all the rain that day!

As well as textile related things (more of which to follow), I also spent some of my American time in various museums.  I had a day and a half in Washington DC and thought I may do some sightseeing after I went to the Smithsonian museums.  However, I was enjoying the museums I visited so much, I ran out of time to see all the museums, let alone more of DC.

Approach to Venice by Turner

Coast near Antibes by Cross

I started with the National Gallery of Art.  Unfortunately the modern wing was closed, but there was still sufficient to keep me going to almost a full day in just the 19^th and 20^th century pictures on display.

Head of a woman by Modigliani

These are some of my favourite pieces.  I loved the Modigliani sculpture, which reminded me that I am not the first artist to be inspired by ancient Greek Cycladic sculptures. 

Green Wheat Fields, Auvers by Van Gogh, the new acquisition

There were a number of Van Gogh paintings, one of which was a new acquisition and I don’t think I’d seen it before.  I have seen an awful lot of Van Gogh paintings, so this was a lovely pleasure.

Girl in White by Van Gogh

A real highlight was a special exhibition of Garry Winogrand photographs.  His composition was amazing and there was a lovely letter from his second wife complaining about how feckless he was and how she was running out of time to have children (she was 28...).  The photos certainly recorded the States during the 1950-70s in an entertaining and thoughtful fashion.

So if you get the chance, do visit the National Gallery of Art, especially when both wings are open.

Out & About: SAQA Conference

Yvonne Porcella, the first President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

I’m finally back home after an amazing two week trip in America.  After Paducah, I spent a few days in New York, mainly in the Met Museum and then I went onto Washington DC, where I spent more time in museums and at the SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Associates) annual conference.

Katie Pasquini Masopust, the second President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

I’ve got loads to share and intended to do so whilst I was on the road, but I couldn’t download the photos from my ‘proper’ camera until I got home and I didn’t want to short change you with them less good ones – especially as the artwork and quilt-work I saw was astounding.  So I will be posting on this trip for a while.

Judith Content, the third President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

The SAQA conference was held just outside Washington at Alexandria, right by the river.  It was a lovely location.  I was slightly concerned about going by myself, but I needn’t have worried as many others were in the same position and we all met some great people.  Activities included artist speed dating to get to know other attendees, various talks and I had a quilt critique session, which threw up some ideas and opinions I had not considered, so it was very valuable.

Sandra Sider, the fifth President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

These photos are from the Sunday morning session.  SAQA is 25 this year and five out of six of the ladies who have served as president were at the conference.  They all shared one quilt they had made whilst they were president, whilst talking about the impact being a member of SAQA and its presidency had on their lives.  It was fascinating and also rather funny.  It also emphasised the old (but true) adage: the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. 

Kris Sazaki, the six and current President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

If you get a chance to go the SAQA conference, I would highly recommend it.  I met so many wonderful people who are doing really interesting art and I’ve come back super-charged-up and raring to go... once I get over the jet-lag of course!

Out & About: AQS Quilt Week Paducah

Rando Rose Garden by Karen Eckmeier

First day at the AQS Quilt Week in Paducah has been amazing. At Newark Airport yesterday I was having severe doubts as to what I was doing. Why was I putting myself through this ridiculous 24 hour journey?  However any hesitation was soon over after I arrived at the Show this morning. 

Every Way But Straight by Karen Sienk

Here is a small selection of the quilts I've seen so far. I've taken most of my photos with the SLR and can't download them yet, but these are some I remembered to take on my phone. 

Grouper by Karen Stockwell

Not only are the quilts great, but the people have been fantastic. I've spoken to a number of the prize winners. Bonnie and Katherine from AQS and Laura from the Visitors Bureau have been wonderful. Everyone has been really friendly. 

Forget Me Not by Sonia Grasvik

I'm now back in my hotel room and am beginning to feel the time difference. But I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Out & About: the start of a big adventure

I know you're not meant to apologise for not writing your blog - it just highlights that you haven't been writing your blog and makes you seem less reliable - but here it is anyway: sorry I've been a bit absent over the past few weeks: school holidays and four day migraines aren't very conducive to life, let alone blogging!

But I'm back up and running now and excitingly I'm writing this at Glasgow Airport waiting for my flight to the States- first stop AQS Quilt Week in Paducah in about 24 hours.  So I'm going to have lots to share about, even if they are not happy with you taking photos for blogs.  I'm sure I'll find something to photograph.

This is very poor iPad photo of the piece I have in my hand luggage to stitch on the journey.  We'll have to see whether it has changed much by the time I get there or whether the kindle and films take over!