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| "Vases with Fruit" by Jane Dunnewold "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
Exhibits at the National Quilt Museum
There are always several concurrent exhibits at the National Quilt Museum. This time, the pieces included contemporary quilts and art quilts [a Studio Art Quilt Associate (SAQA) 25th anniversary trunk show], vintage quilts, miniatures and a Quilts of Valor—50 State Salute to Old Glory patriotic collection. Some quilts were by current quilt artists, some by renowned quiltmakers no longer with us, and some resurrected quilt tops by anonymous quiltmakers were finished by 21st century quilters [from the Old Glory collection curated Mary Kerr]. All the quilts were amazing and the exhibits were impeccably displayed.
A New Master is inspired by the Old MastersAs I wandered through the exhibits, I came upon the museum's "The Corner Gallery" exhibit. The bold colors, complementary color scheme, and a somewhat "painterly" look of one of the front-facing pieces caught my eye. As I approached, it became apparent the piece was mixed media, collaged and incorporated vintage textiles and needlework. Then I saw the placard... the artist was Jane Dunnewold!
Having taken a workshop with Jane in 2018, I was thrilled when I saw she was the artist featured in this exhibit! The exhibit is called, "Inspired by the Masters—Jane Dunnewold."
There are 14 pieces in this exhibit. Going from piece to piece, things clicked for me. I saw and was reminded of all the techniques Jane shared with the workshop participants through our week-long experience with her. In this exhibit, Jane cohesively blends multiple techniques and materials into beautiful, thoughtful and playful compositions that are inspired by works of the Masters—such as Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo and Mary Cassatt.
Mixed Media with Vintage Needlework
My favorite part of these pieces was the incorporation of the vintage needlepoint, hand embroideries and miscellaneous hand stitched pieces by "anonymous" needlewomen. I am a rescuer of vintage needlework and have a small collection of embroidered dresser scarves, pillow cases, orphan quilt blocks and the like. Do you see the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt blocks in this piece?
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| "Grandmother Matisse's Flower Garden" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
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| Detail: "Grandmother Matisse's Flower Garden" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
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| Detail: "Vases with Fruit" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
The filet crocheted edging is left to dangle freely from the table and beyond the edge of the composition.
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| Detail: "Vases with Fruit" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
The vintage textiles are seamlessly blended with the painted areas. It's difficult to see where one starts and the other stops.
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| "View of the Harbor" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
Sometimes Jane uses hand stitching to bridge different elements
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| Detail: "View of the Harbor" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
The "Still Life with Cat" incorporates a needlework canvas with longer, bargello-like stitches.
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| "Still Life with Cat" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
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| Detail: "Still Life with Cat" by Jane Dunnewold. "Inspired by the Masters" exhibit #nationalquiltmuseum |
In Jane's artist's statement, she describes herself as "the bridge between fine art and craft—linking them inextricably together in a dance of old and new—paint, thread and intention." In the list of materials, she includes, "Techniques are all my own—based on 25 years of fidgeting, fudging and making do."
Jane's work is truly inspirational!
