ARTIST BIO/STATEMENT
I grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand (NZ). I look back now and realize the special opportunity I had, being rooted in a diverse Pacific Island community, rich in cultures and where you were considered family as soon as you entered your friend’s house.
Moving to the United States, prompted a profound exploration of connection, community, and cultural identity. There are a lot of nuances, socially and politically, in this new landscape (of the US) that are not always easy to overcome but quilting is my bridge to connecting and building community, and now drives my art practice. I relate to this traditional women’s craft, as it is in essence a way to connect community, the maker, and our history. I have been exploring how to continue this through my work, while pushing boundaries of people’s expectation of what a quilt can be.
My artistic practice revolves around modern quilting where I seamlessly blend traditional techniques with a contemporary twist, embracing both Improvisation and Minimalism. My artistic narrative unfolds through a lens that captures my experiences – a visual dialogue shaped by photography, translating moments into textile works. Each quilt becomes a canvas where emotions and connections intertwine and a story is told.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Michelle Wilkie is a textile artist and designer of modern quilts. Her artistic practice revolves around modern quilting where she seamlessly blends traditional techniques with a contemporary twist, embracing both Improvisation and Minimalism.
Michelle is currently exhibiting and participating in a community exhibition at the NC Museum of Art (NCMA) in conversation with Layered Legacies exhibition. In the past year, she has had solo exhibitions at Durham Art Guild Golden Belt Gallery (“Creating Connections”) and at Page-Walker Center of Art and History (“Eyes Wide Open”). She has participated in several group juried shows which has her work shown in France and Italy and locally (in the US) at ArtFields, CAM Raleigh, Truist Gallery, 311 Gallery and ArtSpace NC.
She has also completed a summer residency with Ox-Bow School of Art, a 6-month residency with the Durham Art Guild, and participated in Penland School of Craft Winter Residency. She has been featured in several magazines and has work published in the book Modern Quilts: Design of the New Century.
© Michelle Wilkie