Quilts that aren’t Quilts!

Does this look like a modern quilt to you?

Well, it could be….only the shapes are cut from painted bits of paper.

This is the work of Henri Matisse, and these photos are shared with us by Stephen in London ---I thank him for sending them because I’d not seen these works before and the whole concept is fascinating!

Words from Tate.org regarding this exhibit:

In his late sixties, when ill health first prevented Matisse from painting, he began to cut into painted paper with scissors to make drafts for a number of commissions.
 

 
In time, Matisse chose cut-outs over painting: he had invented a new medium.
 

 

From snowflowers to dancers, circus scenes and a famous snail, the exhibition showcases a dazzling array of 120 works made between 1936 and 1954.
 

 
Bold, exuberant and often large in scale, the cut-outs have an engaging simplicity coupled with incredible creative sophistication.

How similar is this to fusible applique, for instance?  What ingenuity!
 

 
Stephen writes about the exhibit:
 

Yesterday I visited a superb exhibition of Henri Matisse's Cut-Outs - he was not well enough to paint much in the last 12 years of his life, so worked out a less strenuous way to create, cutting shapes from painted sheets of paper.  He also came from a family of FABRIC DESIGNERS, so the ideas are really relevant. 

The Palette picture just shows a bunch of little scraps from the floor, collected to show what he used - doesn't it look modern for a guy who died 60 years ago?  The Window Marquette shows how a varied/scrappy background really helps bring a design alive and the Bees panel is just crying out to become a quilt of some sort!  Ivy is in there to feed your cheddar addiction and any others are just for fun - enjoy!

Best wishes,
Stephen

I wish I could have seen these in person! Maybe in my own way I am channeling my own inner Matisse with all the bits and scraps that I was working with this morning! ((See this morning’s blog post HERE)) 

I wonder if Henri Matisse had any quilters in his family?

Thanks for sharing the photos AND the inspiration, Stephen!

Sadie sleeps while mama sews!

Things are going swimmingly here at Quilt Villa….deep into production, repetitive sewing is soothing in its own way when I can take it at my own pace.  I should be ready to assemble BLOCKS for the Mystery by Saturday, I should have ALL the individual units done by the time I leave tomorrow…Hooray!!

And I know it’s  a mean tease to talk about it…but I know you are going to love this one….oh yes you are!

About to take Ms Sadie for an evening walk before coming back to sew some more….I’ve set the laptop up where I’m working and I’ve been watching back to back episodes of Foyle’s War.

Yes, after being in England for 10 days I can’t get enough of all things British!

Have a great evening, Everyone!


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