HOW TO GO BIG with Rachel Hayes
The casual Instagram scroller would be forgiven if they scrolled past one of Rachel’s patchwork pieces and assumed it was something generated by artificial intelligence. But AI can only dream of creating the real-world objects of beauty that Rachel creates. They capture light and color, breeze and the occasional animal slops.
In this dreamy SEAMSIDE conversation, textile artist and photographer Rachel Hayes and I discuss:
① the rewards and perils of public art pieces
② the intangible and metaphysical layers of a quilt
③ how to collaborate with our physical environment
WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Discover how Rachel Hayes creatively merges textiles with architecture and nature, challenging traditional perceptions of quilting and fabric art. Her journey from traditionally small-scale quilt patterns to expansive outdoor installations reveals the boundless possibilities of textiles in art.
CONVERSATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
06:43 The Influence of Shared Studio Space
12:45 The Impact of Environment on Art
21:23 The Role of Photography and Video in Rachel's Work
22:57 The Life Cycle of Rachel's Art Pieces
26:27 Impact of Weather on Artwork
28:19 Material Selection for Outdoor Art
30:38 Challenges and Rewards of Public Art
36:18 Art Vandalism and its Aftermath
41:43 Project for International Quilt Museum
48:29 Reflections on the Physicality of Textile Art
REFLECTION PROMPTS
Reflect on how Hayes's large-scale installations challenges and expands your understanding of textile art. How would your own work change if you were to drastically scale it up or down?
How does the environment, both urban and natural, influence how we perceive textiles?
Think about the relationship between durability and ephemerality in Hayes's work. How does the temporary nature of her installations contribute to their significance? How does that play into your own work?
HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Get your free trial to the QUILTY NOOK
→ Learn more about this episode with SEAMSIDE EXTRAS
→ Learn more about Zak
