MODERN Quilt or ART Quilt ????

He who works with his hands is a laborer.  He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” ..... St. Francis of Assisi 

I mentioned the AQS show had a lot of Modern quilts in my last post.  So many I’d like to spend a bit more time understanding this emerging group, and how it compares and contrasts with Art quilts.

In my mind (or IMHO) there are three distinct quilt categories – TRADITIONAL, MODERN, and ART.  It can be said that all quilts are an art, however not all Modern quilts are Art.   Confused?  This is where I think the lines blur so let’s take a closer look at each group.

TRADITIONAL is what we think of when looking at our grandmothers’ quilts, the tools used, and styles in general.  Most have recognizable patterns and names that have been passed down thru generations.  They may be pieced or appliqued by a variety of methods. They may be constructed in a wide range of fabrics and colors, packaged in a ready to go kit or yardage bought for an exact cutting list and a precise list of instructions. These quilters see a finished sample and want to recreate it…..sometimes exactly or with a few minor twists, perhaps through a BOM (block of the month).  Some are still hand quilted, but many are long armed. Many lucky recipients have been gifted these wonderful treasures commemorating a graduation, wedding, or birth, or as a memorial. Sometimes they are used, often they are displayed.

The MODERN movement requires a bit more research.  From the many articles and books I’ve read on the MM, there are some predominant factors that seem to underscore its growth.  First, a good share of these quilters are younger/30-40 something’s, they did not have HomeEc or 4H growing up, have little or no sewing experience, and are very busy with children and careers, and have less money.  They are curious about quilting and the needle arts, but want quilts they can wrap up in, watch TV with, put in the laundry, just like our predecessors did.  Remember our grandmothers who quilted using leftover clothing scraps because they couldn’t afford new?  These were functional, and necessary.  Perhaps the younger quilters are turned off by the showcase quilts we spent hundreds of hours making but you can’t touch. These MM quilters want organic, uncomplicated quilts they can throw together quickly, and wash.  Sure, they want them to be beautiful and cheerful but they don’t want fussy points or difficult techniques.  They want simple construction, floating patterns that can go together quickly.  They like machine quilting for durability, but just enough so the quilt doesn’t get too stiff. 

But here’s where the lines begin to blur between MM and ART quilts……and a lot.  Often MM designs are asymmetrical, use intuitive cutting or improvisational piecing, trendy color combinations and graphic prints, or lots of solids, greys and whites, consisting of simple or geometric shapes, with little repetition, or traditional patterns reinterpreted.

Although most of these explain ART quilts too, the desired result comes from a different place.  The ART quilts comes from an inner need to express one’s self. The approach begins with inspiration.  The techniques used are similar to those used in a fine oil painting (representational or abstract) or sculpture.  The artist considers how the design will convey the movement, feeling, or message they want to evoke. The quilt artist gives great thought to space, light and movement.  To my mind (again, an individual interpretation) ART quilts are like paintings using fabrics and threads as your medium.  Perhaps it’s the difference between a nice restaurant that does a good job with a modern menu, and the ‘foodie’ restaurant with incredible finesse, attention to detail and artistic presentation.  Both feed you, but one can be transformational.

After all consideration, it’s clear both categories have evolved from the inspirations of previous generations seeing the influence of the functional and free style of Gee’s Bend African American quilts or Amish color combinations, both which are recreated time and time again today.  We may consider both of these ART quilt categories, interestingly enough that both grew first out of necessity and function.    

So the next time you look at a MM or ART quilt, consider which one fits best.  In the end, both are vital to be passed down to future generations, as important needle arts categories.