WMQFA Class: Reconsider the Grid with Sarah Nishiura

Description

From the use of one point perspective as a compositional tool in Renaissance Italy, to the fantastic Op Art creations of the 1960's, artists have been finding ways to manipulate the standard sqaure based grid for centuries as a means of introducing space and movement into two-dimensional design. This workshop will introduce students to some simple ways to enrich designs by stretching, warping, and reimagining the grid.    

Workshop will include discussion of the use of the grid in art history and quilt history, exercises on paper which will demonstrate simple ways to manipulate the grid, and open work time during which students can try out some basic templates provided by the teacher, and work on creating their own. 

Supplies Needed:

Materials needed:

·         Approximately 1 yard white or other very light-colored fabric and 1-yard darker fabric (Prints or solids are fine, a mix of smaller pieces is fine, we will just be making samples, so no need to bring anything too precious or expensive. We are just looking for strong contrast to best illustrate the graphic elements of these exercises).

·         Glue stick

·         Scissors or blade to cut paper.

·         Graph paper (8 -10 squares to the inch is helpful but not necessary. Sarah will have extra on hand) and something to draw with.

The usual basics: sewing machine, ruler, rotary cutter, cutting mat, marking pens or pencils, pins, etc.


Sarah Nishiura is a Chicago based quiltmaker who utilizes traditional techniques to craft quilts out of recycled and vintage materials. Inspired by numerous textile traditions including 19th and early 20th century American Quilts, Sarah's work explores and celebrates the infinite possibilities of geometric design. Her quilts have been exhibited in museums and galleries in the U.S. and abroad including the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, the New England Quilt Museum, and the Yokohama Quilt Fest in Japan. Her quilts have been featured in numerous magazines and blogs including Quiltfolk, Martha Stewart Living, Chicago Magazine, and Food and Wine, and they are included in private, corporate, and public art collections throughout the United States. In 2019 Sarah received an Illinois Arts Council Finalist Award for Craft.  Sarah has an MFA in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and a BA in visual arts from Brown University.

More information about Sarah's studio practice can be found at: http://www.sarahnishiura.com/