Oxymorons: Absurdly Logical Quilts!

September 6 - November 2, 2003

This collection of forty quilts from forty different contemporary fiber artists depicts each artist’s interpretation of an oxymoron—a two-word phrase made up of seemingly contradictory words. Inspired by the oxymoron "art quilt", each artist was invited by the Renegades of Belfast, a group of five contemporary quilt artists from Maine and the curators of this exhibit, to create a quilt based upon an oxymoron of their own choosing. The result are works with such conflicted thematics as Tough Love, Almost Perfect, and Clearly Ambiguous.

Oxymorons breaks away from traditional quilt-making and encompasses a wide range of artistic styles, from abstract layers of fabrics to representational creations, as well as a variety of construction methods. Dominie Nash’s Randomly Organized employs fabric scraps, samples, and a quilt she made in 1986 called Blow Up 1, which she cut into triangles and reassembled at random to create a lurid collage-like quilt. In contrast, Joan Colvin’s Extinct Life examines the issue of life preservation with her illustrative portrayal of an egret during sunset.

Internationally recognized and award-winning fiber artists such as Jane A. Sassaman, David Walker, Alison Goss, Emily Richardson, Mary Lamb Nehring, and others include their recently created "oxy-quilts" in this collection. Oxymorons has previously been displayed at Carnegie Hall Museum, the Museum of American Quilter’s Society, Rock County Historical Society at Janesville, Wisconsin, the Art Center Gallery at Missouri State University and others; it also served as a principal exhibit at the American Quilter’s Society 2003 Quilt Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee.

Marking its place as a new level in fabric art, this "isolated collection" provides insightful and personal interpretations of the oxymoron each artist has chosen. The exhibition’s national tour is sponsored by the American Quilter’s Society; local funding is provided by Al and Peggy Richardson. Oxymorons is curated by Renegade members: Judi H. Bastion, Sally K. Field, Dianne S. Hire, Ellie Pancoe and Nancy F. Wheelwright. The exhibit is accompanied by the release of Oxymorons: Absurdly Logical Quilts!, a book showcasing the exhibit’s quilts and their makers, edited by Dianne S. Hire.

A reception will be held on Friday, September 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. During the reception, Hands All Around Erie Quilt Guild will be demonstrating quiltmaking techniques. The reception is free and open to the public.