Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Beyond Comfort: Declined



Rock Painting
Acrylic sheeting layers, Acrylic Paint, Hand Tied
Terry Jarrard-Dimond



A few months ago I found information about an exciting juried exhibition titled: BEYOND COMFORT. The show is sponsored by the Studio Art Quilt Association. Just this morning I received my rejection email and I am genuinely disappointed.

The theme as stated in the prospectous: This exhibit challenges each artist to venture into uncharted territories of creative expression by turning away from the comfort zones of their established body of work. It provides a "permission slip" to experiment fearlessly with radically new conceptual and narrative agendas; to employ techniques, technologies, or materials new to the artist. The artistic goal of the exhibition is to encourage reaching beyond comfort to make new and unexpected works of art.



Rock Painting - detail


While my exploration was not accepted, I applaud the concept and look forward to seeing the work that was choosen for this forward thinking approach to making art. I feel this is exactly what needs to be happening in our medium and I believe it is happening.




Monsoon
Acrylic sheeting layers, Acrylic Paint, Hand stitching
Terry Jarrard-Dimond



New and innovative work which is based on "out of the box" concepts, materials, and processes will never replace all that has come before, it only added flavor and spice.

One of the criteria for the work entered into the show was that it meet the definition of an art quilt as established by SAQA. That definition reads: a contemporary artwork exploring and expressing aesthetic concerns common to the whole range of visual arts; painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, assemblage and sculpture, which retains, through materials or technique, a clear relationship to the folk art quilt from which it descends.




Monsoon - detail


I created three works for this compeition and entered two of the three. One of the pieces which I wrote about recently, was titled Abandoned. I decided not to enter it as I felt it had moved too far away from the idea of a quilt. The two other works, Monsoon and Rock Painting, did satisfy the criteria so were sent for the jury.

Despite not being selected to participate in the show, I still think it's a great concept and is well received. The premiere location will be at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England in August 2011.


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