Song of a Humpback Whale cotton fabric remnants, embroidery, 8'x7', 2022 In the early 1970's Roger Payne and David McVay, whale researchers, transcribed by hand the vocalizations of a humpback whale recorded on a spectrogram. The resulting image published on the cover of Science Magazine in 1974 was the source for my embroidered quilt. Whale songs, which are true "songs" in that they contain organized repeated units, phrases and themes, evolve over time. Only the males sing, a song they seem to agree upon, and it remains a mystery how and why they sing. This song from the seventies is not the song whales are singing today, and serves as a record of a specific time linked to my time of birth. This quilt is a way to communicate with the whales through the intimacy of the body and the world of dreams.
Poiesis is Genesis Through Darkness cotton fabric remnants, 10'x9', 2021
The dots and dashes of Morse Code are translated into the geometry of pieced fabric. Morse Code is a system of coded communication using specific patterns of sound waves or visible light to spell out words or phrases. Quiltmaking carries coded meaning through pattern, choice of material and color. The text and title is from a dream Lyon received while healing from a concussion. During this time I had profound access to alternate states of consciousness, particularly dreams.
Poiesis is Genesis Through Darkness cotton fabric remnants, 10'x9', 2021
Morse Code Quilt - The dots and dashes of Morse Code translated in the geometry of pieced fabric. The text is from a dream.
The Sigh of Dark Things cotton fabric remnants, 7'x6', 2020 photograph by Juliette Sutherland
Morse Code Quilt - The dots and dashes of Morse Code translated in the geometry of pieced fabric. The text is from the poem, Lacrimae, by the Portuguese poet Antero de Quental.
The Sigh of Dark Things Mose Code Quilt and performative photograph, 2020 photograph by Juliette Sutherland
The Sigh of Dark Things Morse Code Quilt and performative photograph, 2020 photograph by Juliette Sutherland
Diagram of the Universe I acrylic on pieced cotton, 4'x5', 2014
Diagram of the Universe acrylic on pieced cotton, 2014
Pieced Work cotton and linen, dimensions variable,2013
Pieced Work cotton and linen, dimensions variable,2013
Pieced Work cotton and linen, dimensions variable,2013
Pieced Panel pieced cotton, 5'x2', 2013
The Bluest Dark, pieced cotton, spray paint, 6'x3',2014