Prism Play: A Full Spectrum of Art Quilts

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

When I closed my eyes, I could see it clearly: a continuum of colorful art quilts traveling around the walls, following the flow of a color wheel with no beginning and no end.

The Prism Play exhibition was designed to offer something cohesive and unusual, where the viewer could immerse themselves in a kind of color bath as well as take in the details of individual works of art. The idea that the whole would be greater than the sum of the parts was thrilling – two exhibitions in one. What I saw in my mind’s eye was saturated, rich, and elegant, pulling the viewer in from every point in the room.

The vision was embraced by SAQA’s regional leadership in early 2021 and Prism Play: A Full Spectrum of Art Quilts was launched.  We asked artists to work in monochrome palettes – arguably the most challenging of all color assignments. The juror would have to be a true color expert.  In a stroke of great good fortune, Joen Wolfrom agreed to jury the show, and we used her Ultimate 3-1 Color Tool as guide and color inspiration.

SAQA member artists embrace a wide range of techniques, styles, and aesthetic approaches to the art quilt. All have a personal vision, and many bring strong points of view about society, the environment, and climate, history, and values. With no required theme, the structure of the color spectrum is beautifully complemented by a wide range of perspectives on our life and times, adding meaning to the sheer visual impact of the bold color that is Prism Play.

Cara Gulati, Group Show Curator

EXHIBITION GALLERY