Best of Show, Quilt National 2009: Calon Lân by Anne Smith
Judges' Statement written by Sue Benner
The image lit up the screen, the HD TV screen. A lyrical interplay of white and red, the quilt by artist Anne Smith, Calon Lân, sang out clear and true. All three of us, Quilt National 2009 jurors Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Ned Wert, and I, came back to this work, time after time with new appreciation for its captivating beauty.
At the time of jurying, we had no knowledge of the title’s significance, no artist’s statement to read, only the digital slide, a detail, and a description of the materials and techniques used.
This work called us back, and we explored the richness of the red and the purity of the white. The quilt was a quilt—hand-stitched, assembled fabric, and the quilt was art.
Now, after having the experience of seeing this work in person at Quilt National and reading the artist’s statement, I have another level of appreciation for Calon Lân.
I see this quilt as truthful, in its materials and its meaning.
The color palette is limited but used expansively. Smith blends shades and tints of red, white, with a bit of yellow and a hint of aqua.
The fabrics are recycled, almost humble, and are masterfully placed. At the bottom edge there are drips of paint or dye, which made me re-examine the rest of the work for these subtle adjustments. The hand stitching and embroidery act as drawing lines and serve to “mend” the work at the same time.
The composition is curious, almost unlikely. It is a dance of shapes with the right side being mostly red, the left predominantly white or light in value. A large central rounded red shape is of importance. Red is a loaded color--red is power, red is courage, blood is red. Delicate scallops of red are drawn in the light areas with a lovely tenderness. The white areas read as light shining through the image, pure, dazzling light. Delicate tints of pink and coral soften the weight of the deep red.
The image is ambiguous: is this a heart, or a flower or something completely different? As I start to make sense of it all, the image coalesces, and then disintegrates—a modern abstraction.
It is almost a cliché in our medium to say, the image is “painted with fabric.” But I think it is worth saying here. The use of the fabrics has all the subtleties of blended paint, yet I never forget that it is fabric, layered, assembled, and stitched. Old-fashioned and modern: fabric as fabric, fabric as paint.
Anne Smith says of her quilt:
“The old Welsh hymn ‘Calon Lân’ sings of a pure heart. This quilt is a celebration of contented times, everyday blessings, and simple gifts.”
So now, thanks to Wikipedia, here are the translated words of Calon Lân.
I don't ask for a luxurious life, the world's gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart, an honest heart, a pure heart.
If I wished for worldly wealth, it would swiftly go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart, Will bear eternal profit.
Best International Artist prize at Quilt National 2021: Brittle Crazie Glasse by Anne Smith
ARTIST TALK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1i4QvZhQEM
1 HOUR EXHIBITION TOUR: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtrraTaAeCw
Jurors Award at Quilt National 2023: Saint Jude by the Dumpster by Anne Smith
Awarded by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi