About Ann
“Ann Harwell re-creates the natural world in extremely detailed quilts, which combine geometrical , abstract patterns with representational images. Composed of hundreds of tiny pieces of jewel-colored and patterned fabrics, her quilts include works based on outer space, astral phenomena and landscapes inspired by gardens and arboretums. She turns landscapes and galaxies into Cubist compositions of prismatic and fractured planes, enlivening the surfaces of her quilts with a mesmerizing sense of motion.” Linda Dougherty, Curator NC Museum of Art
“Her incredible attention to detail is readily apparent. These quilts are very nearly three-dimensional, a cornucopia of dazzling images that fairly jumps off the cloth. They emote the power and savor of Cubist paintings” Marsha Barber, Asheville Mountain Express
” The work of Ann Harwell is colorful, intricate and superbly organized. Her art, produced on an ordinary sewing machine, consists of wonderfully crafted quilt tapestries that often point outward to bright areas in our night sky – nebulae and spiral galaxies. Harwell makes a cohesiveness happen, often through the amazing deftness of her stitchery that may flow from and unite entirely disparate patterns. Her floral work, though apparently simpler when viewed from a distance, reveal complexities of shape, pattern and color that mark them as distinctly Harwellian.” Max Halpern, Raleigh News & Observer
“Wandering quilted stitches meander across these geometric puzzles. Stamped gestures of angles which find their fit in a manner not unlike the stones as Machu Picchu, finding their place without mortar. An intelligent interaction is at work here. There must be a lot of negotiation here working from drawings to cloth modules.” Will Hinton, Professor of Visual Art, Louisburg College
“I am pleased to offer my recommendation of Ann Harwell. Currently Assistant Director of Blue Spiral 1 in Asheville, North Carolina I have had the opportunity to work with Ann several times and I can honestly say it has been a pleasure. In addition to being an extremely talented artist, she is organized, professional and courteous (traits appreciated by gallery personnel). As a fan of her creative work I am not alone. She remains one of two fiber artists that have sold individual pieces at Blue Spiral 1 above $4500 since our opening New Years 1991. I attribute this to the quality of craftsmanship and marketability of her exceptional work. Her fine art quilts are sophisticated and appreciated by our clientele. Visitors to the gallery admire her attention of detail. Whether through stitching design or fabric selection, one can clearly see Ann’s choices echoing the subject in many aspects. These thoughtful decisions in the creation of her work endow the pieces with layers of character ensuring more than cursory enjoyment. Ann’s vision of the world as expressed through her art quilts is brilliant.” Jordan Ahlers, currently Owner and Director of Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC
“To me her tapestries transcend quilt making. The fiber is her paint, her medium. I put her on the highest plane as an artist.” Lee Hansley, Lee Hansley Gallery
*additional articles and reviews are located in Resume > Publications
Artist Statement
“My work is to communicate ideas, express feelings and tell stories. I especially want to unite and enhance diverse fabric designs and colors with intricate, precision piecing and exorbitant quilting and all the while weave a subtle sermon on the things that delight and confound me. I start with an original rough drawing, draft a straight-line design, and then transfer the design to pattern material. Each piece of cotton fabric (hand-dyed, batik, commercial cottons) is selected, individually precision cut, and sewn together with my 1945 Singer Featherweight machine. My work is constructed like fine garments, with great attention to detail: seams are strong and straight, corners are sharp and points are precise. After the pieced top is constructed, I layer the top, cotton batting and a whole cloth cotton backing. Finally, I add a surface design with a straight stitch sewing machine, quilting free hand through all the layers and adding hand-made bias binding. In order to hang the quilts, I hand apply a sleeve for the aluminum bar made especially for the quilt.”
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