Nature Modified
Nature Modified
On exhibit at:
The Texas Quilt Museum
in La Grange, Texas
June 30, 2016 to September 25, 2016
The Harrington Gallery
in Pleasanton, CA
March 9, 2017 to April 15, 2017
On exhibit at:
The Texas Quilt Museum
in La Grange, Texas
June 30, 2016 to September 25, 2016
The Harrington Gallery
in Pleasanton, CA
March 9, 2017 to April 15, 2017
Genetically modified organisms are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This technology merges DNA from different species, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.
Is the genetic engineering of plants a modern extension of traditional crossbreeding and the key to feeding our growing world population? Will GMOs cause environmental damage and dangerous side effects, or allow us to feed a growing world population? The introduction of genetically modified organisms into the food supply has been accompanied by controversy and strong emotion.
Materials:
Hand dyed and commercial fabrics, aluminum thermal barrier fabric, fiberglass vent screening, cotton batting, embroidery and sewing thread, ink jet printing, cyanotype fabric, flexible adhesive.
Techniques:
Pieced, appliqued, machine and hand quilted, embroidered, pencil drawings by artist copied onto ink jet fabric, sun prints, mounted on fiberglass screening (thread and adhesive).
Size: 45 inches wide x 61.5 inches long, including hanging loops.
August 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Is the genetic engineering of plants a modern extension of traditional crossbreeding and the key to feeding our growing world population? Will GMOs cause environmental damage and dangerous side effects, or allow us to feed a growing world population? The introduction of genetically modified organisms into the food supply has been accompanied by controversy and strong emotion.
Materials:
Hand dyed and commercial fabrics, aluminum thermal barrier fabric, fiberglass vent screening, cotton batting, embroidery and sewing thread, ink jet printing, cyanotype fabric, flexible adhesive.
Techniques:
Pieced, appliqued, machine and hand quilted, embroidered, pencil drawings by artist copied onto ink jet fabric, sun prints, mounted on fiberglass screening (thread and adhesive).
Size: 45 inches wide x 61.5 inches long, including hanging loops.
August 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Absorbing Memories
Absorbing Memories
Artist's Statement:
Memory is a dynamic process. The very process of remembering alters memories. We absorb memories, and then when we then recall our memories we actually reconsolidate, that is, we store as our replacement memory what may be an enhancement or inaccuracy of that original memory. Each time we recall a memory, we alter it and absorb a new memory replacing that initial memory, and the new memory may not be identical to the original.
In this quilt the images, partial texts and humble objects suspended in transparent envelopes represent stored memories. The wash of blue is flooding these memories, absorbing the detail and color, blurring the edges and intensity of memories. Over time the memories will reconsolidate and we will absorb these new memory replacements and store the new memories for future reconsolidation.
Techniques:
Collage, painting, hand embroidery, machine quilting.
Materials:
Hand painted cotton fabric and scrim, tea filter bags, assorted vintage photographs, torn paper, gaskets, ribbon, vintage bobby pins, buttons, hair elastic, flannel batting, fabric stiffener, embroidery floss, cotton thread.
Size:
39.5 inches wide x 70 inches long
Date completed: February 2016
Photos by Rhames Photography
Brown Eyed Beast
Brown Eyed Beast
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, June 2022
A mythical beast for modern times, this Brown Eyed Beast is an environmental protector presented in a grand manner, in an illuminated Latin manuscript. Historically, illuminated manuscripts were created by an educated class when the ruling class and general population was illiterate. The Beast is a child-animal, protector of the forest, protecting the environment - essentially communicating with people in power who cannot read his message.
Materials: Custom commercially printed fabric designed by artist, hand-dyed and commercial fabrics, fabric stabilizers, fusible web, , thread.
Techniques: Artist-designed commercially-printed fabric, fused applique, hand-dyed fabric by artist, , machine and hand quilted by the artist.
Size: Height 27” x Width 39”
April 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Materials: Custom commercially printed fabric designed by artist, hand-dyed and commercial fabrics, fabric stabilizers, fusible web, , thread.
Techniques: Artist-designed commercially-printed fabric, fused applique, hand-dyed fabric by artist, , machine and hand quilted by the artist.
Size: Height 27” x Width 39”
April 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Blue Eyed Beast
Blue Eyed Beast
The Blue Eyed Beast is part of the Studio Art Quilt Associaton (SAQA) Wild Fabrications exhibition. The current travel schedule for the exhibition is:
International Quilt Market, Houston - October 24-October 26, 2015
International Quilt Festival, Houston - October 29 – November 1, 2015 VIEW RELATED VIDEO
Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, Texas - January 7, 2016-March 27, 2016
International Quilt Festival, Chicago - April 7-9, 2016
George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO - July16 -September 4, 2016
Museum of York County, Rock Hill, South Carolina - October 8, 2016 – February 26, 2017
Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah, California – March 25, 2017-June 25, 2017
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin - December 17, 2017 - February 25, 2018
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, June 2022
The Blue Eyed Beast is part of the Studio Art Quilt Associaton (SAQA) Wild Fabrications exhibition. The current travel schedule for the exhibition is:
International Quilt Market, Houston - October 24-October 26, 2015
International Quilt Festival, Houston - October 29 – November 1, 2015 VIEW RELATED VIDEO
Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, Texas - January 7, 2016-March 27, 2016
International Quilt Festival, Chicago - April 7-9, 2016
George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO - July16 -September 4, 2016
Museum of York County, Rock Hill, South Carolina - October 8, 2016 – February 26, 2017
Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah, California – March 25, 2017-June 25, 2017
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin - December 17, 2017 - February 25, 2018
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, June 2022
A mythical beast for modern times, this Blue Eyed Beast is an environmental protector presented in a grand manner, in an illuminated Latin manuscript. Historically, illuminated manuscripts were created by an educated class when the ruling class and general population were illiterate. The Beast is a child-animal, protector of the forest, protecting the environment - essentially communicating with people in power who cannot read his message.
Techniques: Artist-designed commercially-printed fabric, fused applique, hand-dyed fabric by artist, thread painting, pencil drawing ink-jet printed on fabric, soft stabilizer creating dimension, machine and hand quilted.
Materials: Custom commercially printed fabric designed by artist, hand-dyed and commercial fabrics,ink-jet printed fabric, fabric stabilizers, fusible web, ribbon, beads, decorative fabric trims, thread, batting.
Size: Height 34 ½” x Width 37” x 1 ¼” Depth
November 2014
Photos by Rhames Photography
Techniques: Artist-designed commercially-printed fabric, fused applique, hand-dyed fabric by artist, thread painting, pencil drawing ink-jet printed on fabric, soft stabilizer creating dimension, machine and hand quilted.
Materials: Custom commercially printed fabric designed by artist, hand-dyed and commercial fabrics,ink-jet printed fabric, fabric stabilizers, fusible web, ribbon, beads, decorative fabric trims, thread, batting.
Size: Height 34 ½” x Width 37” x 1 ¼” Depth
November 2014
Photos by Rhames Photography
Woman Balancing
Woman Balancing
An Everywoman of heroic proportions balances images of contemporary female roles – mother, caregiver, lover, executive, combat soldier, dancer, engineer, physician – within the folds of her traditional dress and the bundles hanging from her capable shoulders and hands. Upon her head she confidently balances the world.
The woman's face and stature are reminiscent of a statue from ancient Rome or the muscular proportions of images of female workers such as “Rosie the Riveter.” Her ethic dress suggests the historical legacy of the female throughout time and place, balancing her roles at home with the pressures of her society. This woman is successfully balancing upon the churning gears of time that propel her forward into new roles.
Materials: Fabric paint, commercial and artist-dyed cotton fabric, wool, embroidery floss, thread, “Misty fuse” and fabric adhesive, “Soft and Stable”and stabilizers, fabric markers, silk ribbon.
Techniques: Painted, dyed, stamped, drawing with markers, reverse applique, fused applique, embroidered, machine quilted.
Size: 36 ½ “ High x 24” Wide
January 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
The woman's face and stature are reminiscent of a statue from ancient Rome or the muscular proportions of images of female workers such as “Rosie the Riveter.” Her ethic dress suggests the historical legacy of the female throughout time and place, balancing her roles at home with the pressures of her society. This woman is successfully balancing upon the churning gears of time that propel her forward into new roles.
Materials: Fabric paint, commercial and artist-dyed cotton fabric, wool, embroidery floss, thread, “Misty fuse” and fabric adhesive, “Soft and Stable”and stabilizers, fabric markers, silk ribbon.
Techniques: Painted, dyed, stamped, drawing with markers, reverse applique, fused applique, embroidered, machine quilted.
Size: 36 ½ “ High x 24” Wide
January 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Urban Playground
Urban Playground
Included in the virtual exhibition that will be displayed
on the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates www.saqa.com ) website
from September 2015 through September 2016.
Included in the virtual exhibition that will be displayed
on the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates www.saqa.com ) website
from September 2015 through September 2016.
The idealized image of American children playing in woods and fields is the exception, not the norm. 80% of Americans live in cities, and the child poverty rate nationwide is about 30%, therefore many children never experience natural or well designed open spaces for play. Often American children are playing on unimaginative urban playgrounds, if they have any open space for recreation at all.
Urban Playground depicts some common realities of these recreational spaces. Hard surfaces dominate, chosen more for safety than aesthetic appeal. Planted areas are sparse and littered with debris. Brightly colored playground equipment contrasts with the blacks and grays of rubber mulch and concrete. Graffiti defaces the walls. The sky above is heavy with pollutants.
And yet, the child plays. The child imagines a world of wonder in a gritty urban playground.
Materials: Commercial fabrics, netting, printed photographs (by artist), candy wrapper fragments, gasket rings, fusible adhesive, embroidery thread, perle cotton, oil paintsticks, fabric paint, batting, stabilizer, thread.
Techniques: Pieced, raw edge applique, machine and hand quilting, embroidery, rubbing with oil paintsticks, photographic images printed on fabric, painted with fabric dye.
49 inches (height) x 41 inches (width)
June 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Urban Playground depicts some common realities of these recreational spaces. Hard surfaces dominate, chosen more for safety than aesthetic appeal. Planted areas are sparse and littered with debris. Brightly colored playground equipment contrasts with the blacks and grays of rubber mulch and concrete. Graffiti defaces the walls. The sky above is heavy with pollutants.
And yet, the child plays. The child imagines a world of wonder in a gritty urban playground.
Materials: Commercial fabrics, netting, printed photographs (by artist), candy wrapper fragments, gasket rings, fusible adhesive, embroidery thread, perle cotton, oil paintsticks, fabric paint, batting, stabilizer, thread.
Techniques: Pieced, raw edge applique, machine and hand quilting, embroidery, rubbing with oil paintsticks, photographic images printed on fabric, painted with fabric dye.
49 inches (height) x 41 inches (width)
June 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Deconstructing; Constituent Parts
Deconstructing; Constituent Parts
On exhibit at:
The Harrington Gallery
in Pleasanton, California
November 12 through December 16, 2015
Pence Gallery
in Davis, CA
June 17 through August 23, 2016
Metro Gallery
in Reno, NV
September 19 through November 4, 2016
On exhibit at:
The Harrington Gallery
in Pleasanton, California
November 12 through December 16, 2015
Pence Gallery
in Davis, CA
June 17 through August 23, 2016
Metro Gallery
in Reno, NV
September 19 through November 4, 2016
A pieced quilt is deconstructing, displaying its constituent parts. The original design is pulling apart at the seams, revealing layers of pieced fabric, batting, thread, hidden artifacts and meanings - devolving before our eyes.
Materials: Plyban synthetic cheese cloth, cotton fabric, thread, wool batting, photos printed on fabric, paper, plastic gaskets, button, fabric adhesive, acrylic paint, gallery wrapped canvas.
Techinques: Pieced; thread lace constructed on water soluble stabilizer; machine and hand quilting; hand sewed to canvas backing which is painted with acrylic paint.
Art quilt mounted on gallery wrapped canvas
Size: 36” x 36” x 1.5"
July 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Materials: Plyban synthetic cheese cloth, cotton fabric, thread, wool batting, photos printed on fabric, paper, plastic gaskets, button, fabric adhesive, acrylic paint, gallery wrapped canvas.
Techinques: Pieced; thread lace constructed on water soluble stabilizer; machine and hand quilting; hand sewed to canvas backing which is painted with acrylic paint.
Art quilt mounted on gallery wrapped canvas
Size: 36” x 36” x 1.5"
July 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Most Femicide Occurs Within the Home
fabric art quilt
by
Sharon Rossi
Clovis, CA
July 2017
fabric art quilt
by
Sharon Rossi
Clovis, CA
July 2017
Most Femicide Occurs Within the Home
Artist's Statement:
Most femicide occurs within the home.
The United States accounts for 90% of all women killed by guns in a study of gun-related murder in 22
high-income nations. (Journal of Medicine, March 2016)
Domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a gun. On
average, three or more women are killed each day in the United States by intimate partners, and handguns
were clearly the weapon of choice to kill intimate female partners. One million women in the USA have
survived a gunshot wound or been shot at by an intimate partner, 4.5 million women in our country have
been coerced by a firearm by an intimate partner.
Our nation cherishes a tradition of rugged individualism and a frontier mentality that promotes gun
ownership for protection. However, are guns making women safer?
Materials: Commercially printed fabrics and netting, sheer fusible webbing, wool batting, foam
stabilizer, fabric paint, Fabric Magic polyester texturizer, inkjet printed text, thread.
Techniques: Fabric folded and cut in manner of traditional Hawaiian quilts; raw edge fused
applique in flat and raised relief; machine stitched webbing over water soluble stabilizer, fabric
paint; machine quilted.
Size: 49 inches wide x 41 inches long
Photos by Rhames Photography
Most femicide occurs within the home.
The United States accounts for 90% of all women killed by guns in a study of gun-related murder in 22
high-income nations. (Journal of Medicine, March 2016)
Domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a gun. On
average, three or more women are killed each day in the United States by intimate partners, and handguns
were clearly the weapon of choice to kill intimate female partners. One million women in the USA have
survived a gunshot wound or been shot at by an intimate partner, 4.5 million women in our country have
been coerced by a firearm by an intimate partner.
Our nation cherishes a tradition of rugged individualism and a frontier mentality that promotes gun
ownership for protection. However, are guns making women safer?
Materials: Commercially printed fabrics and netting, sheer fusible webbing, wool batting, foam
stabilizer, fabric paint, Fabric Magic polyester texturizer, inkjet printed text, thread.
Techniques: Fabric folded and cut in manner of traditional Hawaiian quilts; raw edge fused
applique in flat and raised relief; machine stitched webbing over water soluble stabilizer, fabric
paint; machine quilted.
Size: 49 inches wide x 41 inches long
Photos by Rhames Photography
The Specter of Violent Displacement
The Specter of Violent Displacement
The Specter of Violent Displacement is a terrible apparition, a manifestation of fear and dread, the phantasm of people desperate for a better life for themselves and their children. The Specter is clothed in a gown of black and white, the traditional colors of death and mourning in many global cultures. This fearful Specter is ironically and menacingly embedded in a quilt, a symbol of hearth and home.
The immense Specter with arms outspread attempts to obstruct our view of the scarred land, the refugees wrestling danger and death, the deadly armaments and the spilled blood. Yet this Specter never defeats the Spirit of human resilience and hope, and the knowledge of his ultimate failure is detectable in the Specter's gruesome face.
Materials: Commercially printed cotton fabric, batting, recycled tablecloth, thread, netting, metal grommets and hooks, fabric paint.
Techniques: Pieced, raw edge applique, machine and hand embroidery, painted, machine quilted.
Size: 75 inches long x 52 inches wideSeptember 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
The immense Specter with arms outspread attempts to obstruct our view of the scarred land, the refugees wrestling danger and death, the deadly armaments and the spilled blood. Yet this Specter never defeats the Spirit of human resilience and hope, and the knowledge of his ultimate failure is detectable in the Specter's gruesome face.
Materials: Commercially printed cotton fabric, batting, recycled tablecloth, thread, netting, metal grommets and hooks, fabric paint.
Techniques: Pieced, raw edge applique, machine and hand embroidery, painted, machine quilted.
Size: 75 inches long x 52 inches wideSeptember 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Excluded: The San Joaquin Kit Fox
By Sharon Rossi
Clovis, CA
January 2019
By Sharon Rossi
Clovis, CA
January 2019
Excluded: The San Joaquin Kit Fox
Artist statement
I have lived in Fresno County, California for 20 years, yet I have never seen a San Joaquin kit fox in its historical range. This endangered fox is now only found on the outside edges of the San Joaquin Valley. Vulpes cacrotis mutica is the smallest fox in North America. The San Joaquin kit fox is about the size of a housecat with long legs, large ears, a long bushy tail and furry toes that protect the fox’s feet in its hot and dry Central Valley environment.
The San Joaquin kit fox population has drastically declined since the 1930’s when a recovery plan for the animal was first created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The burrowing San Joaquin kit fox and its historical food source, the Fresno Kangaroo Rat (also featured on this quilt), have been widely displaced by urban, orchard and farmland development in their native grasslands. Habitat management and Wildlife Refuges throughout the San Joaquin Valley are key to the recovery of the San Joaquin kit fox. Parcels of land must be set aside to protect the San Joaquin kit fox and the other threatened wildlife and plants native to our valley.
Materials: Repurposed vintage, tea-dyed and commercial fabrics. Tyvek painted with acrylic paint. Inkjet fabric sheet. Soft foam stabilizer. Cotton perle, synthetic and cotton thread.
Techniques: Raw edge applique and traditional applique; applique covered with netting. Hand embroidery. Painting and heat distortion of Tyvek. Injet printed photo and text by artist. Tea-dying of fabric. Machine and hand quilting.
Size: 43 inches long by 30 inches wide; wall hung.
Photos by Rhames Photography
I have lived in Fresno County, California for 20 years, yet I have never seen a San Joaquin kit fox in its historical range. This endangered fox is now only found on the outside edges of the San Joaquin Valley. Vulpes cacrotis mutica is the smallest fox in North America. The San Joaquin kit fox is about the size of a housecat with long legs, large ears, a long bushy tail and furry toes that protect the fox’s feet in its hot and dry Central Valley environment.
The San Joaquin kit fox population has drastically declined since the 1930’s when a recovery plan for the animal was first created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The burrowing San Joaquin kit fox and its historical food source, the Fresno Kangaroo Rat (also featured on this quilt), have been widely displaced by urban, orchard and farmland development in their native grasslands. Habitat management and Wildlife Refuges throughout the San Joaquin Valley are key to the recovery of the San Joaquin kit fox. Parcels of land must be set aside to protect the San Joaquin kit fox and the other threatened wildlife and plants native to our valley.
Materials: Repurposed vintage, tea-dyed and commercial fabrics. Tyvek painted with acrylic paint. Inkjet fabric sheet. Soft foam stabilizer. Cotton perle, synthetic and cotton thread.
Techniques: Raw edge applique and traditional applique; applique covered with netting. Hand embroidery. Painting and heat distortion of Tyvek. Injet printed photo and text by artist. Tea-dying of fabric. Machine and hand quilting.
Size: 43 inches long by 30 inches wide; wall hung.
Photos by Rhames Photography
Fanciful Flower Fairies Embedded in Turquoise Foam
Artist's Statement:
Fanciful Flower Fairies find FUN frolicking in fabulous frilly turquoise foam. The viewer is invited to play.
Techniques: Evaporative Cooler Pad carved, pieced, frilled, glued, hand quilted. Raw edge applique fabric squares painted, machine quilted. Aluminum insulating thermal barrier fabric stabilized then inserted in the manner of trapunto.
Materials: Evaporative Cooler Pad (acrylic and polyester foam), hand dyed and commercial cotton fabrics, fusible web, glue, aluminum insulating thermal barrier fabric, sheer netting, plastic netting, fabric paint, fabric stabilizer, cotton batting, threads (sewing, crochet, pearl cotton). Fitted with a fiberglass vent screening hanging sleeve.
Size: 65 inches wide x 72 inches high.
Date completed: October 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Fanciful Flower Fairies find FUN frolicking in fabulous frilly turquoise foam. The viewer is invited to play.
Techniques: Evaporative Cooler Pad carved, pieced, frilled, glued, hand quilted. Raw edge applique fabric squares painted, machine quilted. Aluminum insulating thermal barrier fabric stabilized then inserted in the manner of trapunto.
Materials: Evaporative Cooler Pad (acrylic and polyester foam), hand dyed and commercial cotton fabrics, fusible web, glue, aluminum insulating thermal barrier fabric, sheer netting, plastic netting, fabric paint, fabric stabilizer, cotton batting, threads (sewing, crochet, pearl cotton). Fitted with a fiberglass vent screening hanging sleeve.
Size: 65 inches wide x 72 inches high.
Date completed: October 2015
Photos by Rhames Photography
Dance Party! Raise the Roof!
Art quilt by Sharon Rossi
Iron structure by Marc Rossi
January 2019
Clovis CA
Art quilt by Sharon Rossi
Iron structure by Marc Rossi
January 2019
Clovis CA
