This latest exhibition at Visions Art Quilt Gallery introduces us to a distinctly male perspective on the art of the quilt.

It is interesting to see how the heritage of quilting inspires artists to move in startling new directions and yet their work still reflects the roots of the art form.

After receiving his degree in Fine Art and teaching art at the high school level, Bob Adams was introduced to quilting when his wife Natalie, a weekend quilter, asked him to lend his artistic knowledge to help her make color and design choices for her quilts. Fascinated with the flexibility of fabric as a design medium, and the quality of line created in free-motion machine stitching, Bob began his exploration of fiber art that has let to his work today. Bob's "Infrastructure" series explores the ailing infrastructure of our country. Images from storm drain grates and manhole covers provide the imagery for his work in black cotton using various discharge techniques (removing dye from fabric) to print and paint his designs. Pay particular attention to the virtuosity of his machine quilting with its subtle changes in color and direction that add depth and layers to his work.

John Garrett was inspired by quilts made by previous family members and was drawn to stories written in the piecing of scraps of fabric. His metal grid "quilts" clearly reflect the shapes and colors of traditional quilts while using unexpected and unusual materials. Who would believe that rusty metal and painted aluminum could have such a lively dialogue with the viewer? John Garrett's work beckons us to a closer examination of the intricate detail of woven metal, plastic and fiber, and the artistry used to reassemble these materials in new and interesting ways.

Tim Harding's work glows with shimmering layers of cut silk dupionni creating compositions that suggest reflections on water and the barely seen images of fish and human swimmers moving beneath the rippling surface. Inspired by the expressionistic quilts of Gee's Bend, the bold geometry of Amish quilts as well as Monet�s impressions of light
on water, Tim's pieces have a painterly quality that draws the viewer into the jewel-like depth and movement of his compositions.

In Tim's words, "To make a work of art in the form of a quilt, whether or not it is functional, strikes up an intimate connection to the viewer�s life." This "intimate connection" is truly what draws us to quilt and fiber art and is what makes this entire exhibition such a gift to the viewer.