Recollection . Betty Jane Lau
An informal listing of work. Spiraling out from the 'piko'; I weave two quilts that exist as one. Two stories echo, compliment, or debate each other. They are in "syzygy"; forever yoked together. In the tradition of quilts I use thrift store finds, or fabrics gifted to me, or salvaged throw aways; I'm always on the cheap. I question what is considered ugly vs beautiful. And I hope to tease out a story of interest while teasing the eye.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
I finally have a wall to display on, stand back and view. Finally the renovation is almost done...over a year later. From working in a bedroom to a studio.
2022: working on the floor of a bedroom, with a dresser and bed crowding me
and wearing a headlamp for lighting.
And a wall to pin to...
Monday, August 12, 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
It's been a not too brief respite from daily living. Whittling down possessions was harder and longer than expected. Once the renovation is finally completed the unpacking begins. I expect more paring down. But for now I enjoy a nice respite driving 5 hours with a carload and Mr. Ti plant and friends. Peace.
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Sunday, May 28, 2023
#65. 'Japanese Boro / American Patchwork'. 5.2023. 65.25" x 62.25". Silk, synthetic Japanese pieces found at a thrift store, cotton traditional patch work quilt topping. SOLD 10/2023
True to both Japanese and American traditions: I used Japanese fabric to patch over the holes in this tattered traditional American quilt topping. 'Boro' in Japanese means 'raggedy', 'tattered', it also refers to the tradition of patching and repairing clothing; usually with indigo dyed cloth. I wove indigo like blue and white strips on the back, echoing the American quilts design on the front. Patches on the back are exactly placed opposite the Japanese silky patches on the front. Even the binding is pieced together.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Monday, February 27, 2023
#64. 'Hapa - Nigerian Scot'. 2023.2. 64" x 66" This is not a woven quilt because it is 2 ply and has no in-between layer "stuffing". My others have 3 or 4 layers, affording 2 presentable different sides. This has identical sides because the fabric themselves are reversible. I call this "identical twins". Wool tartans, cotton African prints. 900.00
Thursday, December 29, 2022
2022.29.12 'Fiber Art Now' vol. 12 / Issue 1/ Winter 2023, 'Excellence in Fibers VIII', curated by Kate Irvin. Sorry, NOT on view at San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Aug. 25, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024.
Here is side A. of #62 'Ukraine: Before and After', the flip side of what is pictured in 'Fiber Art Now'. I believe it is just as valid as the more attractive portrayal of Ukraine. It is the story of war.
Monday, December 26, 2022
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
#63 'Colleen is Tutuvi and Tutuvi is Colleen'. 2022.11 50" x 50" Tutuvi scraps and Hawaiian fabric samples.
Project started with Tutuvi scraps brought home from a trip to Honolulu in September. It was finished by the end of November, just in time to mail it back to Honolulu and Colleen.
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Japanese Lantern / Chinese Winter Cherry
The Japanese Lantern plant, also known as the Chinese lantern or winter cherry, is a popular symbol of ‘life within death.’ It blooms in the winter, but when it dries up in the spring, the ‘skin’ crumbles away, revealing the red fruit that lives inside its ‘skeleton.’
Thursday, October 6, 2022
#62. 'Father/Son, Mother/Daughter, (with lemons)'. 2022.10. 66 x 68 no preference. Japanese and English floral prints.
Life is bitter AND sweet.
Lemons sit in the center of English Chintz and on the other side in the center of Asian florals.
This was started at the beginning of summer and finished at the end of summer.
In memory of Max and Beatrice who passed May 10 and August 16, 2022.
Actually when crumpled and crushed you can glimpse the other side...
Friday, September 30, 2022
#32. Hawaiian Garden / Kansas Baseball was available for purchase at 'FISHCAKE' 307C Kamani St. Honolulu in 2022.
#32. Hawaiian Garden / Kansas Baseball. 62 x 73.4
Shown at 'Firecat Projects', Chicago, 2018
800.00 retail.
Made of thrift store gingham,
samples of Hawaiian prints from sister in law,
and accumulated African fabric.
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