Spontaneity in Fabric: Textile Art by Pat Autenrieth
Pat Autenrieth is a quilt maker whose textile art practice is informed by a background in painting. Pat’s quilts have an almost abstracted nature about them, and a level of spontaneity in fabric that toes the line between the worlds of fine art and craft making.
Pat's works are a really interesting take on the practice of quilting in general. While quilts are usually thought of as functional objects, this artist’s works would do just as well as permanent artworks in a gallery or on a wall. Many of the quilts are densely conceptual, referencing both advanced methods of fabric work, and important moments in art history. Pat’s gallery of recent works leans toward two-dimensional textile art, utilizing white or neutral expanses of fabric in a similar manner to the negative space of a canvas.
The front page of Pat's website
I like that the artist also includes a gallery of quick studies on her portfolio. Quilting isn’t a medium that one might associate with studies, however, these serve as interesting insights into the process behind Pat’s aesthetic and technical decisions. Pat’s innovations in quilting remind me a little of the works of Julie McIntyre.
What Makes a Quilt, cotton, polyester batting, tied with buttons