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The Foyer Gallery presents meticulously-crafted works design with heart in mind from the Squamish Valley Quilters' Guild and jewellery maker Jeannine Bradshaw this month.
Squamish Valley Quilters' Guild presents their modern montage of decoratively stitched, embellished and layered fabric quilts and hangings. Their concepts are practical, sophisticated and innovative, reinterpreting patchwork in a stylish way, incorporating bold colour schemes and embracing new and different construction methods.
Squamish's quilters' guild was formed in 1996 and since then, has seen and evolution in work that's embraced a 21st century style as a creative movement.
Shirley Rutherford, long time resident quilter, attests to the creativity within the guild.
"Traditionally quilting has been a home-based art with items originally being made for necessity rather than pure decoration," said Rutherford. "Today the artistic side of this pursuit is more representative of what is being produced although there are many traditional items and traditional patterns available.
"Colour is everywhere, vibrant, flowing colour, intense, saturated colour, tints and tones of colour. Colour from nature. Colour from the workplace. We are so fortunate to have such a variety of colour available in the fabrics, threads and paints we use."
In this varied collection, upon close observation of the stitches, you can see a broad range of techniques, she said.
"While many quilts are still fashioned with the tried and true methods of piecing, hand appliqu茅 and hand quilting, many quilted pieces today are done totally on a sewing machine, while others combine the old and the new. Some are heavily stitched, others have paint added to them or embellishments of various sorts."
It is apparent that the Squamish quilters respect craft and history but at the same time they are stretching the institution of traditional quilting, progressing into an evolutionary development, pushing the boundaries of this art form.
For more information go to www.members.shaw.ca/squamishvalleyquiltersguild.
The Foyer Gallery cases display Jeannine Bradshaw's heartfelt interpretation of classical jewellery and writing impressions. Semi-precious stone and sterling heart bracelets and pendants embellished with sterling chains are displayed amongst tender and compassionate prose.
Bradshaw joyfully describes the links between the elements of her art.
"Humans are so many creatures inside one body. The outcomes of relationships are boundless. Everything mingles, visions from various angles. We have DNA -words have definitions. Mix DNA and no two results are the same - mix words and the possibilities are amazing and exhilarating. Mix genres and my senses taste, digest, provide sustenance and I thrive."
Bradshaw is inspired by various genres from music, books, fashion, photography, nature, to humour, as well as interactions and relationships with people.
"People are inspirational. What they wear, say, write, and do, how they walk, talk, participate, accessorize, and interact, their passion, sense of being, compassion, industry, imagination, and creativity along with point of view - all are in my peripheral vision."
In one medium or another, art has been her life long endeavour. She is moving forward to another artistic level, for personal growth, to express and hopefully touch, change and expand the view of others.
And when she isn't creating art, Bradshaw is also a passionate participant in cross country skiing, biking and events, contributing and bringing people together.
For more information contact Jeannine Bradshaw [email protected].
