Global Rhythms at Art Ovation

May 29, 2024 | Sarasota

Bradenton-based artist Michael R Stevenson will be the artist-in-residence in the Artist Studio at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N Palm Avenue, Sarasota, July 2-8. An opening reception for his exhibit, “Global Rhythms,” is Friday, July 5, 5-7 p.m. The gallery is open daily with the artist in residence, 4 to 8 p.m. each evening. The exhibit showcases Stevenson’s meticulously crafted art quilts, paying homage to the rich textile traditions of cultures around the world.

Although Stevenson hails from four generations of quilters, his artistic journey began later in life, shortly before his retirement as a university professor. His fine art quilting allows him to share his lifelong passion for meticulously crafted textiles, which he has collected from various places over the years. Stevenson favors improvisational piecing and has a penchant for blending bold patterns. As one viewer aptly remarked, “He isn’t afraid of color!”—a comment he considers high praise.

Stevenson describes “Global Rhythms” as an “homage to world cultures with long textile traditions, including Indonesia, Africa, and Japan. It is also a celebration of color, complexity, and texture. I might begin with a sense of the layout of a new piece, but once started, these things often go in directions I hadn’t planned. In some cases, I find ways to add texture to the surface. When I’m not working with bits and pieces of cotton or silk that others have gifted me or that I’ve discovered in thrift shops, I particularly enjoy using batik and hand-dyed cottons. These materials often feature bolder, more saturated colors and patterns, which I find especially captivating. I guess I really do love color!”

Stevenson says that “quilting runs in my DNA. In fact, my modest collection of vintage quilts includes the work of my maternal great-grandmother, my paternal grandmother, my favorite great aunt, as well as my mother. Even so, I was reared in an environment where men didn’t sew, or make art, for that matter. They tended crops, raised livestock, fixed stuff, opened stubborn jar lids, and lifted heavy things. Nonetheless, I grew up experiencing the warmth and comfort a well-crafted quilt can provide and I developed a deep appreciation for the artistry and skill the art requires. I can only hope that my fine art quilts and collages bring others some level of comfort and another reason to smile!”

For more information about this exhibit, contact Michael R Stevenson at docmrs2011@gmail.com. To learn more about the artist, follow him on Instagram at @michaelrstevensonphd.