Written by Sabre Morris
“Quilts are not just for your grandmother anymore,” said senior Studio Art major Jenny Welden, who brought me into her discreet studio where she streams bits of her own life into her artwork, quilts, and textiles. “I have noticed that the art begins to have its own life if you let it,” Welden said. “When a stranger comes up to you and doesn’t look at you but is captivated by the artwork, you know the art is moving on it’s own power and not by yours.” Welden transfers her life into her textiles and quilts.
Welden entered the art domain when she was young and was naturally comfortable in the process of creating, despite growing up in a family of white-collar professionals where no one pursued art. “I think art sort of found me. I’ve had a compulsion for art since I was a very small child,” she said. All over the world, a rich cultural tradition of quilting exists that has been used to tell a story or depict history through the eyes of a weaver. Welden believes her quilts have personal piecework and symbolism special to her but may not actually tell a story. “I think textiles, and especially garments, allow you to wear a story, to wear myth,” she mused. “I’ve been really interested in garments that have mythology woven into them because it’s touching your body. That brings an idea different than just a painting on the wall.” This produces a new and exciting element to art, one where texture and the physicality of the art is just as important as the visual setting. Quilts, textiles, and garments now have become another method to enhance the art experience.
Generally, the first question when meeting someone new is “What is your major?” or “What do you do for a living?” For Welden, when she mentions that she is an artist, it “opens a can of worms.” Welden explained this is because most people don’t really understand the magnitude and importance of artists’ work anymore.
“There is a strong movement of fine art quilts, quilts that can sell for thousands of dollars and are in museums and galleries just like paintings are, but few non-artists actually understand this magnitude or appreciate it.”
Despite this drawback, Welden intertwines the pieces of her college life with her artwork, and credits the Art Department for showing the credibility of being an artist in preparation for post-graduation. Last year Welden participated in the CC art and crafts sale, which provided her confirmation in her artwork. “It was a turning point for me because I realized people are actually interested in my work and to buy it,” she said. Textiles are shaping the way we think and commemorate history, and with that, creating connections is important. Welden completely changed her major from Biochemistry to Studio Art after realizing that one should live a life where they can be true to themselves. The Art Department has definitely been a highpoint of Welden’s CC experience as a transfer student. It provides a really strong support system of professors that dedicate time to evaluating her art, as well as the latest technology to create innovative new art.
“I’ve always been an artist but I have not always identified as an artist and CC helped facilitate that change which is good.” As she weaves the last few blocks into her senior year, Welden will continue to look toward the Art Department, textiles, and her quilts as she continues her journey as an artist and quilt maker.