ARTIST STATEMENT:
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS & WORKSHOPS - 2001 to 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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EXHIBITIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS, & WORKSHOPS - 1995-2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PUBLICATIONS - 2002 to 2010
"QUILTS ARE FOREVER" by Kathy Lamascusa. Mary Louise Smith's story of "MT. PELEE MARTINIQUE 1902" is featured - Spring 2002 - Simon & Schuster Publishers. |
MEDIA | |||||||
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QUILTING MEMBERSHIPS | |||||||||||||
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OFFICIAL POSITIONS HELD | ||||
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COMMISSIONED QUILTS -
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MEDGER EVERS COLLEGE/NYCUNY: 2001
"30TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE QUILT"
116" x116" - Hand and Machine Pieced - Hand Appliqued - Hand Quilted - Original Design & Copyrighted by Mary Louise Smith
There are 130 African fabrics from Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast and South Africa used. "Minkisi" (messages hidden in plain view) of Ghanian Adinkra symbols for "respect, truth, unity, wisdom, courage, peace and understanding" are hand quilted in gold metallic thread. The college logo in the center is hand appliqued. The entire quilt is hand quilted in ecru, black and gold metallic threads. The back of the quilt contains a center panel where leaders of the community, businesses and college patrons' signatures appear and is incorporated as part of the quilt design.
Commissioned: October, 2001
Permanent Exhibit at Charles Innis Memorial Library, Medgar Evers College/NYCUNY, Brooklyn, N.Y. - 2002
150th COMMEMORATIVE QUILT: IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE - 2000
100"x100"
Hand Pieced, Hand Appliqued, Hand Embrodiered, Hand Quilted, Designed and Copyrighted by Mary Louise Smith
Photo Transfers of the Church taken in 1850, 1900, 1950 and 2000 are the four corner blocks. Six of the pieced blocks were done by Church members. Although not original designs, these patterns were selected because, for the members, they convey a religious context. Five of the originally designed appliqued blocks represents the various community groups sponsored by the church.. The two end panels represents the stainglass entrance to the church. The large center appliqued and embroidered is the church's logo.
(Photo shown prior to blocking of quilt)
MY QUILT GALLERY: | ||||
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56"x76" - Original Design, Hand Appliqued, Embroidery and Hand Quilted
At the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is the Cranford Rose Garden. One only has to walk down the rose garden paths to enjoy the magnificent roses and catch the wisp of rose scent in the air. To me, it envisions a rose spirit fairy dancing for my pleasure, just as in the ballet, "Spectre de la Rose".
Each "rose petal" in various shades of pink are individually placed and appliqued. The "fairy" body is hand quilted in a green leaf design.
Close-up of figure
69"x46" Original Design, Hand Appliqued and Hand Quilted
On May 8, 1902, the volcano, Mt. Pelee in Martinique erupted and destroyed the homes and lives of 35,000 inhabitants of St.Pierre, my paternal parents hometown.
This quilt contains four original designed panels depicting the people, fauna, flora, and homes lost. The fifth is the "fleur- de- lis" (France's symbol) and the sixth, the "hawaiian lei" for rememberance of both loss and renewal. The echo stitches on the orange background is a facimile of the molten lava flow, which brings destruction, yet life.
This quilt was created as a reminder of my paternal family's loss and of our history on an island in the Caribbeans...least we forget!
Close-up of Fleur-de-lis block
46 1/2"x48 1/2" - Original Design, Reverse Hand Applique, Puff Work, Beads and Gold Thread Embellishment, Hand Quilted, African fabrics from Senegal and Ivory Coast.
The African Deity, OSHUN, also known in Ancient Egypt as HET-HERU, represents Joy, Laughter, Music, Dance and Love, hence the five dancing figures.
The echo stitching, gold metallic thread and red seed crystal beads catches the light, bringing added vibrancy and movement to the three- dimensional dancing figures.
Close-up of figures
37"x70"
Hand Appliqued, Hand Quilted, Tear Drop Beads, Hand Embroidered, Seed Beads. Original Design. Original poem by Mary Louise Smith in script on the bottom border, embrodiered in red floss and red beads embellishments.
"ON BENDED KNEES, HEAR MY PLEA, LET ME BE THE WOMAN, I AM MEANT TO BE"
Dedicated to all the abused and oppressed women in the world who are denied their civil rights through the apathy of government, religion and cultural customs.
Close Up
One heart whole, The other heart broken.
31"X31" Original Design, Reverse Appliqued, Hand Quilted
Using the same method used by the Kuna Indians of San Blas Island for their traditional Molas (which we call "reverse applique", this is one of two wall hangings of children nursery rhymes done in silhouette.. The other is "MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB", both have prairie point corner borders on two opposite sides. There is additional hand quilted designs on Little Bo Peep's dress and body features.
Close-up of reverse appliqued figure
45"X28" - Original Design, Machine Pieced, Hand Quilted
The imported Japanese 18" width Yukata cotton fabric in a geometric design - used in the border - inspired this piece. The varying size and placement of the Yakata (dark) and Yellow (light) fabrics in the center creates an optical illusion.
It is on display - as a loan (with two others until 2001) - in an senior executive's office at InterFaith Hospital Medical Center Brooklyn, New York.
59x89" - Hand Appliqued, Machine Borders, Hand Quilted
The Hawaiian Applique is a style created by native Hawaiians, similar to the making of their tapa cloth, when missionery wives introduced them to quilting. Each design is an original and never copied as it holds spiritual meaning to the Hawaiian quiltmaker. Patterns by Elizabeth Root.
67"X37"- Original Design, Hand Applique, Fabric Painted, Sashiko Thread Embroidery, Broderie Perse, Puff Works, Embellished, Beads and Hand Quilted. Japanese cotton and antique silk obi used for the Geisha and Samurai costumes.
An original short story ( poetry ) was also created by me to convey the meaning of this wall hanging. It is on the back of the quilt.
"Sweet were the notes the Geisha sang. It brought forth a Dragon with its fiery fangs. From the Geisha's lips sprang a cry, When she saw the Dragon slither by. Lo and behold, a brave Samurai did appear, To do battle and alleviate the Geisha's fears. The Samurai fought with his sword, Until the Dragon was no more. The grateful Geisha placed on the Samurai's lips, A Kiss, And Together they lived in eternal Bliss."
Close-up of Geisha
Close-up of Samurai
Close-up of Dragon
45X36" - Original Design, Reverse Hand Appliqued, Puff Works, Machine Borders, Hand Quilted.
After telling my daughter Suzanne of my meeting Billie Holiday many years ago and listening to Billie's music, inspired her to create a poem called, "Billie's Blues". I created this wall hanging, using the Kuna Indian of San Blas' mola applique method, and incorporated her poem as a lasting memory of a great artist not forgotten.
"A shade of enlightened grace, she worn the face of life's most bitter taste. The blues which she sang was filled with the depth of her pain. It touched the souls of all that care to hear Billie do her thang. She sang of life's good morning heartaches, about being nobody's business. Because whatever she did, She was forever his. She sang about the strange fruits of the South. How God bless the child that gots its own. In the end, she was left abandoned, broken and alone. A shell of the woman that once was. Used up in the living of the life she sang. Now gone are her blues, gone is her pain. For in our souls her voice echoes on. Forever is Billie's Blues."
"Billie's Blues" - Copyright, 1998- Suzanne M. Smith
Close-up of reverse (mola) applique
"We search for what was stolen, Our homeland, our ancestors, our roots. We reach with open arms to embrace Our African brothers and sisters. We stand proudly, radiant in barefeet to symbolize our survival, our struggles, our determination, to overcome man's atrocities. Yet, despite all our splendor, all our glory, We are still barefooted kaffirs. Like you, Amadou, the final chapter is yet to be written."
In memory of Amadou Diallo, murdered in 2000
Poem by Mary Louise Smith, copyrighted 2000,
Close-up
Imported African Fabrics, Three Dimensional: Hand Appliqued, Embellishments, Fabric Paint, and Hand Quilted
50"x32" Hand and Machined Pieced, Hand Quilted, African fabrics from Benin and Ivory Coast.
The fruit of Africa's greatest harvest is its people. The continent's violent warfare, poverty, disease, slavery of women and girls, and ethnic strife have caused the decimation of its people, land and wildlife. The sun does not rise on Africa. Only with intervention, we may again see the rising sun on Africa's endangered species.
Close-Up of Center Design
50"x50" Original Design, Hand and Machine Pieced, Hand Quilted
The Middle East is well known for its magnificent and intricate tile designs on its architectual structures. In order to master the design technique, I took classes given by the wonderfully talented quilt teacher, the late Margrit Echols, who taught quilting workshops on how to master and translate these Middle Eastern designs to fabric.
52"x58" Original Design, Hand Pieced, Hand Quilted
"Filankra", the Ghanian Adrinka symbol for security and peace was chosen to "surrounds the Asian Tiger", who is one of the most endangered species of the world. Adrinka symbols for unity, law and harmony are hand quilted throughout this quilt.
The background fabric is of weapon- bearing warriors who represents "Man". He has the choice of either destroying the tiger - into extinction, or live in harmony with this magnificent creature.
Close-Up
19" x 19" Hand Pieced, Embellished, Hand Quilted
The beauty and tranquility of the Japanese Garden complex at the Brooklyn Botanica Garden is one of my favorite places to visit and quilt. It is a place I wanted to capture in a quilt. The oriental design border enhances the theme of this piece.
Close-Up of ducks and turtles
52"x43" - Hand and Machined Pieced - Hand Quilted - Original Design
The quilt depicts the colors of the flag and the pride and vitality of our country. Each burst represents the vibrancy and diversity of the American people and symbolizes our American Independence. One of the hand quilted stars in the background blue sky has the date, " 09-11-01 " . "Glow thread" is used, which absorbs the light to shine in the dark, to always remind us of this tragic event.
Closeup
PAGE FROM MY BOOK:QUILT JOURNAL 2002:
An QUILTART members on-line quilt challenge project developed.A nine month challenge in creating a quilt journal/diary and 8 1/2" X 11" quilts from January to September. QUILTART members who joined were asked to explore quilting techniques , and experimentation to expand ones creativity. Theme optional. |
FABLED FIBERS: ART QUILT ENHANCEMENTS
The challenge was to create our own interpretaton of a children fairy tale in fabric. I chose the story of "CINDRELLA". Go to: http://community-2.webtv.net/MARYLOUISES/MARYLOUISESMITH |
"THE NAME OF THE GAME" CHALLENGE:
This challenge represents a quilt showing the "essence" of ourselves and the name we felt best suited our personality. Members chose either a ya-ya name or a royalty name for their "alter ego" persona. Size was not larger than 36" and due Nov.15, 2002. |
Hand Appliqued, Embroidered, Embellished with Sequins,Beads, and Gold Metallic Thread. Crochet Cotton Yarn hair, Hand Painted flames, Machine Quilted. An original design.
Exhibited at QUILTING GUILD OF BROOKLYN
Quilt Festival.
Close-up
Hand appliqued Trapunto,fusing, machine paper piecing, hand dyed fabrics, brodier perse, silver metallic thread. Hand quilted. 22 1/2"x24 1/2".
This quilt is made with red, white and blue fabrics. The five paper pieced hearts represents five Continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, South and North Americas.
As an American who proudly resides in the most powerful nation on earth, it behooves us to apply our vast knowledge and skills in the preservation of mankind through peaceful methods, rather than warfare and destruction of fellow human beings, if we hope for earth's future.
"Make Quilts, Not War; let Peace Reign" also exhibited at: Brooklyn Prospect Park Lefferts Homestead, 2004; Brooklyn Audubon Center 2004.
To see other "Make Quilts Not War" quilts go to:
http://www.quiltart.com/challenges/QNW
Close-Up
An original designed African cloth doll hand crafted wearing wooden beads, holding a unattached 5" hand pieced and hand quilted strip quilt, embellished with cowrie shells and wooden beads. Doll has fabric painted face, wool yarn hair and is stuffed free standing 3 Dimensional. The background quilt is imported African fabrics from Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast and South Africa. Suede ribbon streamers and beads embellishment. Machine quilted. 15 1/2" x 18".
For more 3D quilts: www.quiltart.com/challenges/3D
Close-up #1
Close-up # 2; lower right hand bottom
"THE JOURNEY TO THE SOUL"
23 1/2"x23 1/2"
Batik, Broderie Perse,Hand Dyed Fabric,Mirror Embellisment, Machine Pieced, and Machine Quilted in Gold Metallic Threads.
The border is of an imported Australian fabric with aborigine motifs. The center background is hand dyed to resemble the hot outback desert sand and is quilted in a circular motif in gold metallic threads to resemble the journey to spiritual self realization. The abstract motifs surrounding the two figures (lizards) are the "shedding layers of ones outer self" as we travel towards our quest. At journey's end, at the center, is the black hole where the soul that we seek ...is reflected back in the mirror .
For more quilts: www.quiltart.com/challenges/soulhole
Closeup
LAST OF THE MARTINIQUECANS
34 1/4"W 43" L
Reversed and Needle Turned Hand Applique, Machine Pieced Border, Embroidered, Embellished, Machine Quilted
Due to the destruction in France during WW1 a small group of immigrants from Martinique came to America instead. Today, only two people remain and are represented by the two roses on the bottom of the quilt.The surnames of all the
deceased people are embroidered on the surrounding skulls. The intertwining red roses are for rememberance. The center figure, coming from the darkness to visit the living, is dressed in my grandmother's native costume. There is a hidden french message (miniski) to my grandmother. The descendants of this small group are few, so creating this quilt enables me to keep my memory of them alive. Death is only the passage from the known to the unknown, a great adventure to come to us all.
EXHIBIT - THE EVERHART MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY,SCIENCE & ART. SCRANTON, PA. SEPT-DEC. 2009
To see others, go to www.quiltart/challenges/dod/
Closeup 1
To me, DEATH IS ONLY THE PASSAGE FROM THE KNOWN TO THE UNKNOWN, A GREAT ADVENTURE TO COME TO US ALL.
Closeup 2
The Martinique villages and cobblestone streets are represented in the side panels.
Original Design Quilts & Poetry by Mary Louise Smith ,(unless indicated otherwise.) Copyrighted, 1999- 2010. All rights reserved. Permission must first be obtained and granted in writing to use any image or text from this website.
MY QUILT GALLERY is a revolving gallery and new quilts will continually be added. Check this site from time to time. ENJOY. Do let me hear from you via E-mail. |
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