I'm thrilled to share our first guest artist for "The Year of The Quilt", the incredible Lena Wolff! I've got to tell you; I've felt a connection with Lena for a long time now. We actually shared the stage in a group show in New York City's Soho back in the day, and ever since, we've kept in touch, even with some good old-fashioned snail mail. It's crazy to think this was our first time meeting on Zoom, but I'm excited to open up our relationship even further.
Lena is a multi-talented visual artist, craftswoman, and a passionate advocate for democracy. Her artwork draws on the rich traditions of American folk art and quilts, while also mixing in elements of minimalism, geometric shapes, and social commentary. Lena's artistic vision extends beyond traditional quilt-making, as she skillfully explores various mediums, including paint, paper, and even concrete, to create unique and innovative interpretations of the quilt art form.
Over the years, Lena has been deeply involved in projects that promote civic engagement and social justice, including co-creating the Berkeley Stands Against Hate poster and designing eye-catching Vote posters. Lena's artwork has been featured in galleries and museums all across the US and is even part of the collections at the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Zuckerman Museum of Art, and more!
What really speaks to me is Lena's dedication to using art as a way to spark conversations around important issues and inspire civic participation. I've personally been so inspired by her work, and her Vote poster is actually the first one I've ever wanted to hang up in my own bedroom. Lena's unique style and exceptional use of color create such a powerful impact.
I'm just over-the-moon excited to learn from Lena and to share her insights on color theory and so much more. You're truly in for a treat, getting to delight in the creative mind of such a brilliant artist. Thanks so much for this opportunity, Lena.
Towards the end of her presentation she leads a simple and fascinating exercise that demonstrates the tricks our eyes can play. By staring at a primary color for an extended period and then shifting our gaze to a white space, we experienced an optical phenomenon known as an afterimage.
Lena's color exercise, exploring the relational nature of color and objects, mirrors her artistic philosophy and belief in interconnectedness. This interdependence, evident in both art and the universe, serves as a powerful reminder of our shared experiences and the value of cooperation over isolation.
Head over to my Substack page: "Life Quilts" to watch Lena's 55-minute presentation. Her incredible artistic journey and insights on the interconnectedness of color, objects, and our shared human experience make it well worth your time. To view the presentation you must subscribe, but even if you unsubscribe later, you'll have gained something special.
