ai kijima

untitled, 2008, fused, machine quilted, materials, 25x 60, burn it up, july, 2006, fused, machine quilted, recycled materials including bed sheets, curtain, pillow case, clothes, apron, handkerchief, tablecloth, 104x 91, digging to china, 2007, fused, machine quilted, recycled materials including bed sheets, curtain, pillow case, clothes, apron, handkerchief, tablecloth, 333/4 x31, untitled, 2007, fused, machine quilted, recycled materials including bed sheets, curtain, pillowcase, clothes, apron, handkerchief, tablecloth, 29x 62, peace on earth, 2008, fused, machine quilted, materials 100x 63, mom, 2008, fused, machine quilted, materials, 50 1/2x 36 1/2, 101, 2008, fused, machine quilted, materials, 31 1/2x 27, ai kijima's studio

way back when, i began my art career as a quilter. my quilts were large and i approached the sewing as if i were painting with fabric and thread. lately, i've been thinking about returning to this mode of creating and although my work is nothing like hers, ai kijima has totally inspired me. her quilts not only transcend the idea of the quilt, but they take the idea of the studio quilt a step further by combining the raw qualities of contemporary painting with pop and interesting narratives with a humorous edge. i love the shot of her studio with stacks and stacks of those awesome fabrics! see this post for another contemporary studio quilter who also inspires me.