The pattern and rhythm of a piece reveal a great deal of the tone and attitude of a piece. The piece shown above, titled Sharecropper's Masterpiece is a great example of the influences that these two elements can have towards the overall emotion of the work and how the audience interprets the artwork.
The Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Art Collection at UC Davis has an impressive display of these colorful and vivid African American quilts which display much of the culture through practical reuse of fabric.
The Sharecropper's Masterpiece, for example, displays vitality and passion through the repetition of bright and powerful strips of color. This pattern, consisting of both warm and cool colors, develops a lively rhythm. Though pattern may become repetitive, the variation of color and the lack of consistency in the strip's thickness develops a very spirited and interesting image and sense of the fabric weaving in and out.
Not only is this work powerful, it is also practical as it recycles scraps of fabric and makes it into something new and exciting to contribute to the society. Most importantly, each quilt reveals great influence by the culture.
If you would like to see these pieces yourself, the collection of African American Quilts will be available September 24 - December 13, 2009, the Reception October 1, 5:30-7:30 pm
No comments:
Post a Comment