CQFA Artist - Therese May

Therese May

Therese May has been a leader in the creation and development of art quilting, recognized worldwide as a guiding light in the movement and one of its most inspiring advocates. Honored as both artist and teacher, she has been chosen to exhibit her works at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and at the Louvre in Paris, France.

Among Therese’s many awards are the Most Innovative Use of Medium award in Quilt National ’85 and the Quilts Japan Prize in Quilt National ’95. Her work is published in numerous books and magazines, including The Art Quilt and America’s Glorious Quilts. Her 1969 quilt "Therese" was selected by the Alliance for American Quilts, the American Quilt Study Group, the International Quilt Association, and the National Quilting Association as one of the 100 best American quilts of the 20th century.

With a focus on transformational healing, Therese's work is centered on wholeness, integration and creativity through art and the quilt-making process. To realize and continue this focus, she makes herself available as a teacher, leading workshops for groups as well as providing individualized one-on-one sessions. Contact Therese through her website at http://www.theresemay.com.

Therese May's Quilts

"Mandala Teapot"

53 " x 56 " - 2005. $10,000

This quilt is machine appliquéd and machine quilted.
There is something about a teapot that has a meaning of containment—there is a circle—a sense of closure; this is wholeness; this is the mandala, and yet this container has a handle—you can pick it up and hold it; and there is a spout, an opening—you can pour out whatever is contained. The mandala imagery gives it a Spiritual, even sexual quality and the handle and the spout bring it down to earth—you can use it! And yet this is an image on fabric, a sewing, layering of cloth, a quilt, not to be used as a bedcover, but to be hung on the wall.

"Bunnies"

Bunnies

37 " x 37 " - $4000

I made this light-hearted quilt to hang in a hospital on the wall of the Pediatrics department. The bunnies and bright colors are very appealing and healing to children or the small child within each of us. I love the bright colors of the bunnies and hearts. All of the eyes are buttons and the mouths are of squeeze-bottle paint. I surrounded the bunnies with a red heart border; they seemed to invite the idea.