w
e eat every day, but how often
do we really think about thefood we eat? Every culture has its
celebrations, family meals, traditions
that involve food. Although these
vary in different parts of the world,
the impact of food is universal. Food
nourishes and fuels our bodies; food
traditions nurture our souls.
“Food For Thought” is an exhibition
of 34 art quilts created by members of
Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). With
SAQA members residing worldwide,
there was ample opportunity to refl ect a
wide variety of methods of growing and
producing food, not to mention a host
of regional cuisines and ingredients. In
the artwork presented here, titles often
hint at cultural backgrounds or the
provenance of a favorite recipe, as do the
choices of patterns and fabric motifs. Yet
the world has become so interconnected
that it is no longer always possible to
identify a person’s locale through the
foods they eat.
“Food For Thought” offers a great balance
between the beauty of individual food
items and the importance of food in other
aspects of life. Exploring these art quilts
for themes and variation, comparison and
contrast, for the bounty of color, design,
and concept, will undoubtedly enrich
and inspire readers. It’s an exhibition
of wonderful artworks that approach a
theme that everyone can relate to from a
variety of different perspectives.
“Heirlooms”
30" x 40"
ELAINE MILLAR
PORTLAND, OREGON
“In late summer, tomato crops peak. Th is quilt depicts the light that
would come through the window and refl ect on the granite counter
top, which is covered with the tomato harvest.”
Commercial cottons; machine pieced, appliquéd, and quilted.Photo by Elaine Millar