Art Quilts Unfolding

“Wow! That’s one heavy box.” said my husband as he handed me (Deb) the package from Schiffer Publishing. “Wow!” I said as I tore the box open. I don’t think I’ve had a book that large and heavy since the days of college textbooks. This is no mere coffee table book, this book has meat! But Art Quilts Unfolding, with its photos of amazing art quilts, does belong on the coffee table, not languishing away on the academic book shelf. “I must spread the word,” were the next lines I muttered after perusing the book. Before Kris even gets to see her copy, here I am writing a review.

The Physical Book

First things first. Everyone shows the cover of the book, so you have no idea how big it is unless you read the fine print: 352 pages and 4.4 pounds. And look at this spine! Large enough to contain representative artwork.

The work of Faith Ringgold (shown on the right side of the open pages in the top image) and Mariam Nathan-Roberts (on the spine) were what led me to the art quilt genre in the first place. That’s simply uncanny! Shortly after Pixeladies was born, Kris and I joined Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). SAQA’s name may be on the spine, but this book also contains the work of art quilters regardless of their affiliation with the organization.

The Timeline

I love the timeline included in each chapter.

 

Significant exhibitions, books, and venues are noted. Next come profiles of significant art quilters of the decade. Finally come the galleries: hundreds of quilts to make you ooh, ahh and perhaps mutter the words, “That’s a quilt?”

That’s a Quilt?

 

Along with the prize-winning and famous quilts, I’m sure you’ll find some you have never seen before.  I was particularly inspired by Kate Crossley’s Box of Delights.  To paraphrase Rene Magritte, this is not a quilt depicting a chest of drawers, this is an actual chest of drawers.  For years I have been thinking about doing something “quilty” with a cabinet I inherited from my brother-in-law.  It’s time to pull it out and get working.

No, We Didn’t Get Paid for This Review . . .

But American Still Life: The Weight of the Nation does make an appearance. That we knew, and to have work included in this book was an honor.  But halfway through writing this review, I noticed we were mentioned in the introduction. That is just, well, what I really want to say is un-f***ing-believable! (And, no, I did NOT sully this gorgeous book with lime green highlighter pen. I just used the magic of Photoshop!)

 

If you want to be inspired by or educated about art quilts, put this book in your shopping cart. It’s available at all the usual places and through the SAQA website. Click here to find the book in the online store. I predict Art Quilts Unfolding will become one of the defining books of the medium and the movement.