Tuesday 31 January 2023

Facets Of Fassett

It is three weeks since I popped down to London to see Liz and the girls and visit the Kaffe Fassett Exhibition. I confess I didn't really know what to expect - but the show was simply a collection of artworks inspired by Kaffe's amazing coloured fabric collections. And I think the thing that intrigued me most was the use of brightly printed fabrics in the patchworks.
People had taken his prints and made some astounding pieces...
Here's the poster outside, based on the Tumbling Blocks banner hanging down the staircase wall inside.


The collage below shows how people have used 'fussy cutting' to select specific pattern motifs, plus overlays of net, and contrast stitching to achieve different effects.
This one is based on the traditional "Baltimore Album " quilts of tyhe mid 19th century. Each block features an applique design of flowers or animals
Birds Of Paradise is procduce din a similar way - see how the stitcher has made use of the prints in the birds' plumage, and animal skins
Look at this detail
The quilts with triangles, suns and planets had a much more contemporary feel




The "Tusker Bull" elephant was pieced with different fabrics, then overstitched with fine black threads to give the impression of the creases in the hide
The artist also produced a zebra and a rather angry looking rooster! [2017 was "The Year of the Rooster" - very popular as the word for 'rooster' in Chinese sounds like the one for 'home']








As well as trad quilting [like the=is wedding ring quilt] there were also some tapestry cushions
But my favourite piece by far was a reinterpretation of a much older artwork. In 1515, the German artist Albrecht Durer [he of 'The praying Hands'] produced an engraving of a rhinocerous. Despite the fact he'd never seen one!
In 2005, I visited Budapest with Liz and there was a Durer exhibition in the National Gallery.
We saw the original rhino piece - and here in London, 18 years later, together we saw the rhino reinterpreted in KF's fabrics. 
It felt really special to see the rhino, and remember that wonderful holiday, and celebrate again the privilege of being mother-and-daughter together having fun!

I bought a couple of notebooks in the gift shop[for recording my next collaboration with Kirsten] then we went and found lunch.

Thanks Liz, for suggesting this!


28 comments:

  1. So colourful. It's amazing what can be done - the skill is incredible.

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    1. I felt both inspired and inadequate afterwards!

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  2. What a gorgeous exhibition!! The works are really detailed, colourful and attractive! Thank you for sharing them!

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  3. What a fabulous exhibition! I once saw a small display of Kaffe Fasset’s work in an Aberdeen Galley. It was quite by chance that I saw a poster and thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The cafe provided suitable refreshments for an enthused woman and a patient man. Catriona

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    1. Liz was wise enough to realise that it would work better all round if I went with her rather than with Bob (who is also exceedingly patient about my enthusiasm)

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  4. How very interesting to see the different ways his designs have been used. His sense of colour is unlike any other.

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    1. Yes, he does have amazing sense of colour and makes the most surprising contrasts work well together.

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  5. Looking forward to seeing exhibition when it lands in Edinburgh in March. I have a very old KF knitting book which I've never attempted to make anything from but merely love looking at the patterns and how they're put together.

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  6. I sold my two KF books to Ziffit, having realised that his colourful knitting patterns all seem to require at least 20 balls of Rowan yarn at £8 a pop, and HOURS of complex colourwork knitting! But lovely to look at, nonetheless. You will LOVE the show, I'm sure. I got in with OAP concession ticket!

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    1. I tried Ziffit but they were only willing to give me 8p for one of the books I'm selling and apparently 'didn't seem to need any Barbra Streisand cd's at present'!Hope you got better prices for your books?The exhibition venue only takes £1 off for concessions!

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    2. Ziffit is very quirky. If they refuse/offer a very low price, I put the books on one side, and try again a week later- sometimes you get a better price [and if not they go straight to the CS]

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  7. I may be alone, but I have no KF fabrics! True. I love the wild colors and the glorious use of those fabrics with imagination and skill gone wild! Amazing. :)

    Hugs!

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    1. I don't have any of the fabric just a notebook with a printed cover 👍

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  8. Beautiful images and what an amazing talent. I would have been awe struck too
    Alison in Wales x

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  9. I have long been a fan of Fasset's designs and would love to see this exhibition.

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  10. Wow, there's a LOT of talent on display there. I love the cockerel.

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  11. Thanks for sharing these amazing pieces of artwork. I love the wonderful use of colours. Combining them is an art, even before all the intricate sewing!

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    1. You're right - these have been constructed with thoughtfulness and much care

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  12. Disappointed that I arrive in London too late (mid-April) to see the exhibition. Sadly, not heading up to Edinburgh this time either. :( But happy you were able to attend.
    Mary

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    1. Sorry you can't get there - hope you enjoyed these pictures. More Kaffe shows listed here https://www.kaffefassett.com/about/events/

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  13. Beautiful work done with some lovely fabric! I liked that angry looking rooster, but, I think the elephant is my favorite!

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