Artist Statement

I grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand (NZ). I look back now and realize the special opportunity I had, being in a diverse Pacific Island community, rich in cultures and where you were considered family as soon as you entered your friend’s house.

Moving to the United States (US), prompted a profound exploration of connection, community, and cultural identity. There are a lot of nuances, socially and politically, in this new landscape (of the US) that are not always easy to overcome but quilting is my bridge to connection and community, and now drives my art practice. I relate to this traditional women’s craft, as it is in essence a way to connect community, the maker, and our history. I have been exploring how to continue this through my work, while pushing boundaries of people’s expectation of what a quilt can be. 

My artistic practice revolves around modern quilting where I seamlessly blend traditional techniques with a contemporary twist, embracing both Improvisation and Minimalism. My artistic narrative unfolds through a lens that captures my experiences – a visual dialogue shaped by photography, translating moments into textile works. Each quilt becomes a canvas where emotions and connections intertwine and a story is told.

More recently, I have also started exploring translating some quilt designs to woodblock designs and prints.

Bio

Michelle Wilkie is a artist and designer of modern quilts. Quilting is a passion, driving her creativity. She works to have her quilts seen not just as quilts but as art. She experiments with a variety of modern techniques and aesthetics, though embraces Improvisation and Minimalist styles. 

Michelle is currently exhibiting and participating in a community exhibition at the NC Museum of Art (NCMA). She has completed an artist in residence at Durham Art Guild with a solo exhibition “Creating Connections, and a residency at Penland School of Craft. She exhibited at Page-Walker Center in a solo exhibition “Eyes Wide Open”, and exhibited at CAM Raleigh, Truist Gallery, 311 Gallery and ArtSpace NC and curated into international shows in France and Italy. She regularly has work juried into Art and International Quilt Exhibitions and has been featured in several magazines and has work published in the book Modern Quilts: Design of the New Century.