Media Release

Lawrence, KS, February 11, 2014 – One maintains an international studio practice spanning Japan and Indonesia. The other is local, a Kansas native working with regionally specific themes and motifs. One has perfected the art of textural geometric abstraction. The other creates narrative work dense with imagery and symbolism. The Spencer Museum is showing their work together in Personal Geometry: Quilts by Yoshiko Jinzenji & Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell, on view through May 18, 2014.

A consummate textile artist, Yoshiko Jinzenji is at once a master quilter, innovative fabric designer, multilingual book author, and respected teacher with studios in both Japan and Indonesia. Jinzenji singlehandedly pioneered the use of bamboo dye to create soft shades of white and creams. Her reliance on natural rather than commercial dyes lends her quilts their characteristically spare aesthetic and subtle palette. Jinzenji will be visiting Lawrence to enjoy the exhibition and lead a public discussion.

Described by one author as “a Kansas quilt wizard,” Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell has elevated the art of quilt-making to new heights. She creates works of art based on historical and personal research, incorporating symbolic forms, design principles, and agricultural traditions with complex stitchwork. Each figure or flower has a story behind it. Every inch holds meaning. Mitchell, too, will lead a public program in conjunction with this exhibition.

Opportunities to meet and learn from the artists are among the many programs associated with the Personal Geometry exhibition. All public programs listed below are free and open to the public:

ADULT PROGRAMS:

Saturday, February 22
Artist Talk with Yoshiko Jinzenji: Asian Creation—Inspired Design from the East
2:00 pm
A slide presentation

Sunday, March 2
Up Close with Susan Earle: Personal Geometry
2:00 pm
Tour and informal discussion with Curator Susan Earle

Thursday, April 10
Senior Session: Personal Geometry
10:00 am
Led by Curator Susan Earl and designed for senior citizens, but open to everyone

Sunday, April 13
Gallery Talk with Barbara Brackman
2:00pm
Presented by the Spencer’s honorary Curator of Quilts

Tuesday, April 15
Artist Talk with Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell
1:30 pm
The artist will give a talk in the Personal Geometry exhibition space

YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS:

Saturday, March 15 
Saturday Art Adventure: Quilt Geometry
10:30-11:30 am

Director of Education Kristina Walker leads a tour of Personal Geometry. Participants then create paper quilt blocks (ages 5-8 and chaperones).

Saturdays and Sundays in April
Art Cart: Quilting Time
10:00 am-4:00 pm Saturdays
12:00 pm-4:00 pm Sundays