Appropriation Police...to the bat cave!

Alma Woodsey Thomas, Watusi (Hard Edge), 1963, acrylic on canvas, 47-5/8" x 44-1/4", Hirshhorn Museum

I was spending some time catching up on my "movers and shakers" art blogs (it keeps me all worldly and informed and some such stuff) and found that I had missed out on all the foolishness regarding one painting, of two, by Alma Thomas, that was...then wasn't, going to be on loan to the White House in Michelle Obama's office (surely, the grammar police will be after me because of that sentence-ish...well. probably most of the sentences-ish, in this entire post...the whole blog, if we want to be real about it).

It started with Edward Winkleman's blog, which I adore because it is so much fun, info and sass about the art world I never want to be a part of (did you know you that you, kind reader, may pick and choose your "art world"...yes you can!) Then, I started linking around the links (Winkleman's links , the links of his links, the links of their links and on and on...) and concretely decided that the entire controversy was a waste of time. A waste, first of all, because all artists appropriate whether they realize it or not, or admit it or not (and most will never ever admit it, because the unwritten rule is that if you "copy" or "mimic" or the more fancy-schmancy term "appropriate" in some form then you aren't creative...not really...and all the other artists in the super secret and special artists club know it, even if they don't say it to your face...dead or alive...they talk about you in a super secret code language, in a super secret and special artists club location where only those who generate concepts and imagery without any other reference are allowed). Honestly, I was so depressed (not), knowing I would be kicked out of the secret club when I realized that my pod/icon symbol looked just like an oak leaf (and who else besides me has seen one of those, hmmm?), and a Matisse oak leaf, at that. My creativity was doomed from then on. Or perhaps it was doomed when I started making a circle. I'm not sure anymore.

The second reason I find the controversy to be a waste of time is...Come on...do I really need to list another one? I do have a second one, though. If they say the painting didn't fit the spot or hung funny, then just take it for what it is. Geez, as we say here in the stix.

Now, what would a good quilter do in this situation? The obvious answer is, copy Watusi and make an art quilt out of it. Don't think I won't. I think we all should.

As is...$9.00

Last month, I found this hand pieced and tied patchwork quilt at a local thrift shop called Value Village. What a find. It is the oddest patchwork I've ever seen, because of its unusual construction. I've always dreamt of finding a cool quilt at the thrift store. I'm not much of a shopper, though, and was in that store purely by accident because we were entertaining Xenobia Bailey, who had a day off from her Kohler residency (click here to see the installation of her fabu work). Della, Xenobia and I just stood there petting it, the two of them saying "oh, you better get it now". The following day, it would have been half price. Of course, it wouldn't have been there. So, I'm glad they nudged me into getting it.

It is made of small 4x4 inch fiber-filled stuffed "pouches". These are then sort of whip stitched together. Teeny tiny little whip stitching. This is the only patch that has considerable wear. The other areas I will be able to stitch back together. Although, one pouch is torn, I will probably be able to sew it back together and it will have a nice little scar.

You can see how tight the stitching is. It's crazy. Like the person was reinforcing the seat of a kids' pants that tore during play. I love it. I'm thinking this is the coolest way to create a patchwork quilt. I may have to try this myself. I am wrestling with whether or not to quilt it (by hand of course) and take those yarn ties out. Ties are O.K., but I'd rather quilt it with a reiterated square about half way into each square. The maker of this quilt was, like me, a person who got to their goal with an unusual construction method. My quilting soul mate...unknown, as is.

As the sidebar logo announces...

I have been chosen as a finalist for a 2010 Niche Award in the Fiber Art/Art Quilt category. Hurrah! This is the nominated piece. I have to say that if personified, Medallion Structure I would be jumping for joy. She is well traveled and has been the recipient of quite a bit of press over the past year. And now this. If her parts weren't sewn on so securely, she might suffer from the same fits of fancy and downward spiral as some of those other overly photographed media divas (who shall remain nameless). The winners in all categories will be announced in mid-February, 2010 and of course I will relay the results.

P. S.: Here is a link to the Niche announcement page. Thanks to Karoda for the suggestion.