Wednesday 1 September 2010

Reunited

I’m happy to report that my missing quilt from Birmingham, “1 of 10” and I are happily reunited. I picked it up at the post office yesterday after its extra journey through Norway. Inside the package I found a lovely letter from the lady who had received it. The package had been marked with my name tags, but with her freight papers. I’m guessing they found my freight papers over at the Festival and understood someone had messed something up. I’m gathering up the nerve to call them because I think they have to be notified of what has happened. On the other side, mistakes happen and my quilt ended up at the house of a very thoughtful and lovely person who returned it to me.

Added: I did receive another call from Birmingham today, and the problem seems to lie at their freight company. The Festival sends all the packages to them and receives lists with the packages that have been shipped out. They noticed that there was only one shipment to me, called me and are now investigating what has happened. (this post has been edited)


I don’t know why I have been so reluctant to show this quilt, probably because it did not turn out the way I wanted. I put so much thought into it, and at the end of the day I had to edit so much that there was nothing left. Here it is anyway, a literarily out of line picture of “1 of 10”
You might recognize the straight line appliquéd man and quilting lines from “Man” and the quilting lines from “Things that go bump in the night”, both being test pieces for this quilt.

Artist’s statement:
Numbers can prove or disprove anything. 1 of 10 could be anyone; at the end statistics is all about people.

My initial thoughts:
1 of 10 could be anything.
1 of 10 could be anyone.
If 1 of 10 uses drugs, 1 is too much.
If 1 of 10 recycles, 1 is too little.
On the other hand, 1 of 10 can also make the 1 stand out.
When it comes to physical characteristics, it might be a bad thing.
When it comes to artistic expression, it might be a good thing.
Some people spend their whole lives trying to blend into the crowd.
Some people shine in the spotlight.
I have given them all a door. They can go in, or out; if they like.
1 of 10 will mean different things to different people. I know what I see. What does it mean to you?

I learned a lot from this quilt; it put up a fight from day 1. The most important lesson was however to never enter a half finished quilt into anything again. From now on I will first finish the quilt and enter it only if I am totally pleased with the result, the edges are perfect and it’s blocked, blocked and blocked. At least I'll try...

15 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that you can get your quilt back!
    I like it, althought it's a bit disturbing...it has a feeling of 'film noir' don't you think??

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  2. I like it and am glad you got it back. I think that whenever a piece of art has the potential to mean something different to each person who views it - then the artist did exactly what they meant to do! Good going!

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  3. Oh I am sooooo glad it is back home! and it is very thought provoking....I do think the staff should be notified, and of course your happiness in the note that it all turned out well- way too much time and effort goes into these projects, every step of safety is needed-
    or these shows will lose participants, and then we all lose ;)

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  4. I think the quilt is visually impactful and stimulates thought. In my world that is true art. I am very happy that your quilt made it home. I know losing a quilt would be losing a dear friend with all the associated grief.

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  5. I am glad your quilt returned to you through that 1 in 10 person who would lovingly do so. Your statement is wonderful and your intention is always there. Don't let your inner critic beat you up, just keep on keeping on and making what you do. I love your stitched men, the everyman and you are right stats are all about people after all, what we do, and don't do, chin up my friend you do beautiful things with your life. xox Corrine

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  6. This is a striking piece, I think you should have no regrets. I love your thoughts about ten.

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  7. That is a great quilt! I love it.

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  8. so glad your quilt found you again. It's wonderful piece with a great message.

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  9. So glad your quilt came back to you relatively quickly. We are our own harshest critic but I agree with the comments made above.

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  10. Wonderful, you got the quilt after all. Last autumn I send my daughter a box with hand knitted sweaters and although it was only going from California to Florida, it took 2 months to arrive!

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  11. I'm happy your quilt was returned to you, there are still honest people in this world. Always love a happy ending. Your quilt is fantastic, but we are our own worst critic sometimes. I hope it helps to know others appreciate your artistic talent and hard work.

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  12. I'm so very happy to hear you received this beautiful quilt back. Very stressful when these things happen, but I'm truly happy that it is back where it belongs. And I do love your artist statement. Wow...what a wonderful statement that this quilt truly depicts.
    Excellent!

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  13. Very glad to hear that you got your quilt back. Big sigh I am sure when you picked it up.

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  14. Det var då för väl att ditt verk kommit tillbaka. Det är många tankar du väcker med den........kram PJ

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  15. This quilts has so much beauty and meaning in it and I’m so glad it returned safely to your home.

    What I see in the quilt... The red door is the emergency exit for the 1 red person, who is creative, outspoken, likes challenges and wants to flee from all the grey figures that take life for granted.

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