"Quilt Moderne" Mixed Media (c)mayah2017 12" X 12"
Detail: hand embroidery on canvas
Detail: hand embroidery on dried used tea bag
Detail: cover from small notepad; this cover makes a "hood" over the small 3" X 3" canvas with a dried tea bag on it. The pattern is gold colored; the other cover is silver-toned.
Detail: backs from small notepads; "button" in the center of each is the internal electronic component to a broken pair of ear buds, with a bead glued on top
I am entering this piece in a local art contest; below is my Artist's Statement and description of the art work:
Artist's Statement: I have enjoyed making art since I was a child, but it was not viewed as a viable "profession" when I was growing up; hence, I put it aside when in high school. Many years later, I started making art again during a challenging time in my life; it became my "therapy" and my "meditation practice" as well as a creative outlet.
I use the label "Eco Art by mayah" when signing my art. "Mayah", in numerology, is a number "3", representing "change and growth", "inner child energy", "creativity", and "joy". For me, the name reconnects me to the creativity of the artistic child I once was. I utilize reused/recycled and earth-friendlier materials in my art whenever possible, such as junk mail, cardboard, broken bits of electronics, plastic pieces, dried tea bags, etc. I also use seed pods, sea shells, and other found nature objects. Glues, paints and varnishes are non-toxic and low or no-VOC. A benefit of reusing materials is that it keeps the cost of making art low, and it is helpful to the environment as it keeps junk out of the land fill.
What's a VOC? Volatile Organic Compounds are solvents that get released into the air as paint, varnishes, and glues dry. They contribute to indoor and outdoor air pollution. The glues, paints, acrylic glazes, and varnishes I use are better for human and environmental health.
"Quilt Moderne" 12" X 12" Mixed Media
Acrylic paint on canvas; reused/recycled materials: small canvases, paper covers from notepads, electronic pieces, dried tea bags; junk jewelry; non-VOC acrylic glaze; low-VOC glue; hand embroidery
I usually start an art piece by playing around with various "junk" materials lying around on my art table. This piece was no exception. The work started by loosely placing the four small used canvases on top of the larger one; next came the used/dried tea bags. The design pattern immediately reminded me of the geometric shapes used in traditional quilting.
I have long admired the beauty and craftsmanship of quilts. Years ago I took an introductory quilting class, and my esteem for the artistry and skills of quilters increased exponentially as I struggled to precisely cut and sew the complex geometric fabric shapes and patterns of a traditional quilt. For this art piece, I rummaged amongst the old bag of unfinished quilt sampler and materials from the class, and found a paper pattern meant for a quilting design. I used this design to make the hand embroidered pattern on the canvas.
The title of the piece, "Quilt Moderne", is rather tongue-in-cheek. It is meant to pay homage to the traditional quilt while at the same time engaging in a bit of self-mockery at my own failed attempt at quilting. The English translation of the word "moderne" means "pretentiously modern", whereas the French origin of the word suggests the meanings "modern", "new", and "up-to-date" . "Moderne" also refers to the use of straight lines, geometric patterns, and modern materials typical of the art deco style of architecture and design popular in 1920's-30's Europe and the U.S. and the art deco revival of the 1960's. This piece is truly "modern" in that while it is reminiscent of the geometric patterns of traditional quilting, the only use of fabric is the paint canvas itself.
Eco Art by mayah utilizes recycled/reused and earth-friendlier materials
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