SUDBURY—The Art Gallery of Sudbury is pleased to announce that a beautiful installation of new quilts by artist Judith E. Martin of Manitoulin Island will be on exhibition at its exhibition space at 174 Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury until August 30.
The exhibition, entitled ‘The Sky: New Quilts by Judy Martin,’ comprises hand-stitched textile art works and one sculptural component.
From her home on Manitowaning Bay, Judy Martin gazes daily at the vast blanket of sky stretching over the water. Each work is a prolonged durational work of time, labour and design, taking inspiration from the reassuring continuity of the cosmic circles and unseen stars above us.
Each work is completely unique, involving multiple uses of materials, including linen, silk, cotton, wool and multiple techniques including natural dying and over-dying, painting, embroidery, and hand-stitching.
The artist grew up on a large rural property in Northwestern Ontario. Long solitary summers spent in the shade of willow trees with art supplies and books nurtured an inner dream world that has since become her main subject. For the last 30 years, Judy and her husband Ned have continued to live far from the urban life, on Manitoulin Island.
Many works in the exhibition will be installed from the ceiling. From the artist’s perspective, quilts are sculptural, and, ideally, both sides will be able to be seen by the audience.
“We at the Gallery are honoured and thrilled to offer this opportunity to see Judy Martin’s gorgeous textile works and to learn more about her meditative art practice,” said Demetra Christakos, the gallery’s director/curator.
“Everything about her work feels both intuitive and deeply intentional. We sincerely hope the experience of the exhibition is as contemplative and restorative as the artist intends,” said Ms. Christakos.
Ms. Martin explained, “I like to hand stitch first thing in the morning when the connection to my interior self feels the strongest. During this quiet time by my window, I keep a journal beside me for any reflections that rise up. There is no rush. I give a generous amount of time to each of my quilts. Sometimes a strong emotion such as sorrow or rage initiates a large piece; other times it is the material itself that inspires me. In both cases I start with what I know and then trust that the process of working with my hands will reveal the next steps.”
“The reverse side of my quilts are as well-crafted as their front sides, and often have their own titles,” explained Ms. Martin. “When a quilt is completed, I usually know what it is about but not always. I used to make story quilts, but these days I think that my works are poems. Working with my hands helps me to discover the immensity within me and also helps me to navigate this uncertain world.”
“My newer quilts usually rely on cosmic circles or wagering horizon lines,” continued Ms. Martin. “I try to craft them well and send them out into the world as emissaries of strength and love. Continuing to make quilts is a spiritual practice for me.”
Her large format textiles are included in several Ontario public art collections (Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Cambridge), the Canada Council Art Bank and the International Quilt Museum (Lincoln, Nebraska). Her work has been exhibited in more than 16 solo exhibitions and 49 group exhibitions across Canada, the United States, the UK, France, Germany and Japan. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts, from Lakehead University Thunder Bay (Chancellor’s Medal) and Bachelor of Arts, Embroidered Textiles, First Class Honours, Middlesex University, London, England. Judy Martin has been recognized with more than 13 grants and awards.
Ms. Martin has a large international following of quilting and hand-stitching practitioners and lovers of textile art across the globe. The artist shares information about her art practice and work in textiles through her website, judithemartin.com, through her blog, judys-journal.blogspot.com, and through her Instagram, @judithemartin.
Ms. Martin will be at the gallery for a meet the artist in person event on Thursday, July 10, from 5-7 pm.
