The Softer and Dreamier Exhibition - August 1 - 4 Festival of Quilts Birmingham UK

a glimpse of  Your Fragile Life, In the background, Tomorrow is Another Day), center,  Kuutar (which means moon goddess in Finnish)  and in the background, Love the Soul Inside of Me 

Softer and Dreamier

An exhibition of fourteen quilted textiles created by Judith E Martin was displayed at the 2024 Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England in gallery one August 1 - 4, 2024.  There were thirteen exhibitions, nearly 800 competition quilts, countless vendors and ongoing demonstrations, workshops and lectures at this year's festival.  It is estimated that about 20,000 visitors attend the festival over the four day period it is up at the National Exhibition Centre, making it the largest textile festival in Europe.  Judy was invited to present a solo exhibition at this year's festival two years ago.  This was her first international solo exhibition. 

Snowy

Most of the pieces that Judy displayed were created over the last three years.  

They stood out from the rest of the quilts at the festival because of two reasons.  The first, and most obvious, is that Judy's work is all hand stitched.  Most (but not all) of the other quilts at the Festival of Quilts 2024 were made entirely on the machine.  

Snowy and You Are A Single Star

The second thing that makes Judy's work remarkable is the imperfection touch of the hand that connects it to the our humanity.  Her work engages with the viewer on a very personal level.  She references the bed quilt and the body in her work and this phenomenological understanding can be quite profound.

You are a Single Star 

Many of the pieces are made from repurposed fabrics.

Many of the pieces are made from fabrics that have been hand dyed with local plants from Judy's back yard and kitchen.

Far Away Stars, background Snowy, Daydream Believer, and Intimacy

Judith's guest book is full of names from people all over Great Britain, and also Germany, France, and other parts of Europe, as well as the USA.  Many people spoke with the artist who was in the gallery with her work most of the time.  One of the visitors was k3n - or Kathryn, from France, who made two videos for her very popular you tube channel, k3n cloth tales .    

For the 17 minute video that moves beautifully through the entire exhibition, please click this link.  

Another thing about Judith e Martin's pieces in this exhibition is that they are two-sided.  Six of the quilts were hung so that you could view both sides.  She also names each side with a unique name.  

The other side of Far Away Stars is entitled Cloudy Day (above)

Earth and Air and Your Fragile Life

The installation was beautifully done by the Festival Staff.  The textiles were able to hang free and be affected by movement of the air, and this added to the soft and dreamy quality of Martin's work.

Your Fragile Life (detail)