Ruth Marchese (Brooklyn, NY)
Urban Scapes #3, 2008
Cotton, organza, raffia, and beads
14×14 inches
“I started making quilts about 15 years ago out of a desire to make something useful with textiles – their colors and textures have always attracted me. I began by making crib and bed quilts. Since I found traditional quilting too restrictive and working only with cottons too limiting, I started making wall hangings using non-traditional techniques.
“Having grown up in Switzerland many of my works are pictorial, drawing on the themes from my background. However, my more recent pieces are abstract, and many have political ‘references.’
“The piece I am submitting is part of my new series about ‘urban scapes’ and I am using transparent textiles such as organza and other sheer fabrics. I am a member of the Manhattan Quilters Guild and have participated in the last two group exhibits. I have also attended numerous workshops at the Peter’s Valley Craft Center in New Jersey.
“[The present work] is loosely based on a photograph taken by my granddaughter at the waterfront in Dumbo [a neighborhood in Brooklyn].”