Focus on Craft Selections from the Collection Heckscher Digital Education

Examples of contemporary art Explore geometric shapes Focus on traditional crafts Discussion Points This presentation explores contemporary art that engages traditional crafts in new ways. The artwork we will look closely and discuss are all made using fabric and use geometric shapes to form the composition of the work. Vocabulary Composition The term composition refers to placement of the elements of art within the picture plane. Contemporary art Contemporary art refers to the work of artists of the last 50 years; and deals with events and issues that affect our time. Craft Craft refers to a type of work made in a skillful way by hand. Traditional crafts include weaving, dying and quilting. Geometric Shape Geometric shapes are shapes made with straight lines, angles or circles. Examples include spheres, cones, cylinders and pyramids.

Polly Apfelbaum Mojo Jojo, 2001 Polly Apfelbaum Mojo Jojo, 2001 Velvet and dye 18 feet in diameter Discussion Points This artwork by Polly Apfelbaum is a large work that is displayed on the floor. Describe this work of art in terms of its color and shape. What materials did the artist used to create this work? How is this work like a painting? How is it like sculpture? How is it different from either of these? About the Artist This work of art is from Polly Apfelbaum’s “Fallen Paintings” series. These “Fallen Paintings” are hybrid works of art which combine characteristics of painting, sculpture, and installation. They are most like installation in the way that the artist choses to have her shapes conform to the space within the room, (such as creating works around a pillar as with this piece, or taking the shape of a corner or edge of a wall within a gallery.) The artist is also inspired by pop culture such as by the simple, flat geometries and color within the cartoon of the Power Puff Girls. This cartoon in particular inspires the artist because of the values of girl-power and feminism; the combination of cuteness and power that she sees in this cartoon.

Sanford Biggers Quilt #6, 2012 Al Loving Untitled #32, 1975 Artwork from left to right: Sanford Biggers Quilt #6, 2012 Fabric treated acrylic, spray paint, cotton, silkscreen, oil stick 72 x 72 inches PAMM Permanent Collection Al Loving Untitled #32, c. 1975 Mixed media 121 3/4 x 112 inches PAMM Permanent Collection Discussion Points These artworks are examples of two artists looking at the history of quilt making for inspiration. What is a quilt? Ask students to describe in detail what they know about quilts. Does anyone in class make quilts or know someone that makes quilts? How are these works like a traditional quilt? How are they different? Sanford Biggers’ artwork on the left, is made of fabric. Al Loving’s artwork on the right is made out of painter’s canvas. Imagine these artists working in their studios, how do you imagine they began making these pieces? Did they begin the same way? About the Artists Sanford Biggers creates his own artistic language through the use of materials and symbols from different times (referencing aspects of culture from contemporary life, the past, and imaginative ideas of the future) and from other cultures (such as Japan’s where he spent some time teaching). He references the, likely fictional, theory that quilts served as a memory device and a secret code system within the Underground Railroad to aid fugitive slaves to reach freedom. This theory does provide an interesting idea that quilts were used as visual storytellers wherein the stiches, patterns, designs, colors, fabrics and the order which the quilts were displayed were all symbolic. Sandford Biggers references this secret quilt language by using actual quilts donated by families of former slave owners, and the symbol of the North Star, (a main guide which was used during the time of the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves traveling at night) as a common image in this work. Al Loving began as an abstract painter creating very clean-edged geometric work and later when he purposefully diverged from this praised style, was inspired by the tradition of quilt-making. In a similar way to this traditional process (quilt-making), of repurposing clothing and blankets, Al Loving cut and teared up his carefully painted canvases and reconfigured them into new multi-layered compositions which are heavy in texture and color. He related this process to the tradition of quilt-making as a connection to past generations in his family, including his mother.   Vocabulary Quilt A quilt is bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding held in place by ties or stitched designs. Traditionally crafted quilts are patterned and were considered a female occupation.

Sanford Biggers Quilt #6, 2012

Al Loving Untitled #32, 1975

Miriam Shapiro Feathered Fan, 1983 Discussion Points Mixed media acrylic and fabric on canvas 48 x 96 inches PAMM Collection Discussion Points So far we have seen three examples of contemporary artists who think about traditional crafts in their artwork. Miriam Shapiro also uses traditional craft to create works that explore the role of women in the arts. What shapes do you see in this work? How familiar are you with these shapes? Ask students to explain their familiarity. Shapiro uses a combination of geometric shapes and organic shapes in this work. Can you point out some examples of each? This work is titled Feathered Fan. What associations do you get from a feathered fan? What is the function of a feathered fan? This work is large and is mounted on a wall, and does not function as a feathered fan. Why would the artist make a fan at this scale? Is this work of art similar to any of the previous works we have discussed? How so? How is it different? About the Artist Miriam Shapiro began her artistic career as an abstract expressionist painter in New York City before establishing the Feminist Art Program with fellow artist Judy Chicago. Schapiro's work from the 1970s onwards consists primarily of collages assembled from fabrics, which she calls "femmages". She described femmage as the activities of collage, assemblage, découpage and photomontage practiced by women using "traditional women's techniques - sewing, piercing, hooking, cutting, appliquéing, cooking and the like...“ Vocabulary Geometric shapes Geometric shapes are any shapes made with straight lines, angles, or circles and have defined borders. Examples of geometric forms include square, triangles or circles. Organic shapes Organic shapes are shapes that look like natural elements and are typically irregular or asymmetrical.