Full-size Photoquilts – Page 2 – Chris Mercerhill.com

Ohio Star: Columbus Museum of Art

Posted on November 4, 2015 by admin

72″ x 48″
2015
$500

In the fall of 2015, the Columbus Museum of Art expanded into the new Margaret M. Walter Wing, a modern, copper-clad box with a glass wall at each end. This photoquilt includes the copper walls on the side and bottom, the first floor glass at the end, and the cloudless sky. As the quilt evolves from bottom to top, more of the sky appears between the reflected corners of the building.

Update: This photoquilt was accepted into the 2017 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition where it won a Crow Timber Frame Bart Art Retreat Scholarship. Handmade Chinese Coins was also accepted.

24″ x 24″
2015
$200

Ohio Star: Columbus Museum of Art block
12″ x 12″
2015
$100

Two of my photoquilts on display at the 2017 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit.

Les Portes De Montpellier

Posted on October 11, 2015 by admin

Les Portes De Montpellier (front)

Les Portes De Montpellier – back

72″ x 48″
2015
Not for sale

This photoquilt was inspired by a three-week trip to Montpellier, France. Like many North Americans, I marveled at the age and ornament of many everyday things. In particular, the carved wooden doors to the apartments in the old city were striking to me. Most were surrounded by limestone arches and each one was unique. Walking through the winding streets, all of the doors start to look the same, but by viewing them together, some of the subtle differences can be seen; the different colors of paint, the different shapes and proportions, the different textures in the walls.

This is my first photoquilt that has a front and a back. The front includes the nicest, cleanest, and most colorful examples of the doors I took. The back includes the grittier side of things: graffiti, stray wires and pipes, even some places where doors used to be. The difference is akin to the perfect side of the door we present to the public and the imperfect side that we keep to ourselves. And although we made some good friends in Montpellier, it wasn’t always as easy as we would have liked to open the door to new relationships.

Les Portes De Montpellier (front) detail

Les Portes De Montpellier (back) detail

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

You’re Not Going To Wear That, Are You?

Posted on October 11, 2015 by admin

72″ x 48″
2013
$1200

This photoquilt, composed of a series of self portraits, is a follow up to Pickles Are Gross from 2009. Like Pickles, this quilt is composed of 144 photos — a gross — each with a slight variation from the previous. In You’re Not Going To Wear That, Are You?, the photos include every combination of twelve shirts and twelve pairs of pants. Additionally, the subject is looking in the direction of the placement of the photo. For example, in the top right photo, I’m looking up and to the right.

This piece is unique in that it took longer to take the photos than it did to sew the quilt together. For each pair of pants, I changed my shirt, set the camera timer, and struck a pose. I repeated this for the next shirt, the next, and the next until I had posed in all twelve. Then I repeated the process for eleven more pairs of pants. The photos were taken over two days which was a surprisingly exhausting schedule. In fact, I almost gave up after the third pair of pants, but I saw it through. But didn’t go shopping for a new shirt the rest of the year.

This quilt was displayed along with Ohio Star: State Fair at the 2016 Ohio State Fair, where it won the McConnell Art Center Award.

Detail of You’re Not Going To Wear That, Are You?

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: Ohio Stadium

Posted on October 11, 2015 by admin

72″ x 48″
2015
$500

Ohio Stadium is a mecca for Buckeye football fans. In this photoquilt, the sea of fans recedes almost to the horizon within the stadium and individuals morph into each other. The shadow cast by the upper deck creates a striking black line that curves with the horseshoe shape of the stadium. The 24″ x 24″ quilt was on display at the Homeport Gallery through October 2015. The full-sized 4′ x 6′ quilt was completed at the end of October 2015.

24″ x 24″
2015
$200

Detail of Ohio Star: Ohio Stadium

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: Thompson Library

Posted on October 11, 2015 by admin

72″ x 48″
2014
$500

The Thompson Library is the geographic and academic heart of The Ohio State University. A recent renovation opened up several of the interior spaces bringing light to the stacks of books. One striking feature of the new feature is a glass staircase that allows students easy access to that large, wood-paneled study rooms on the second floor. This staircase, and the glass-walled floors behind it, form the subject of this photoquilt. The green glass, warm wood tones, and bright interior lights create a warm palette with contrasting lines from the stairs and railing. This quilt was on display at the Homeport Gallery in October 2015.

Detail: Front and back of the photoquilt.

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: PAES

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin

72″ x 48″
2012
$500

This photoquilt is based on a picture taken inside the PAES (Physical Activity & Educational Services) building at Ohio State, just inside the Scarlet Skyway, a red glass bridge that connects it to the RPAC. Like in Ohio Star: Scarlet Skyway, the red glass gives every surface a warm pink glow. The overall effect is of jewel tones and shapes. The photos are sewn into a traditional Ohio star quilt pattern. Individual blocks from this quilt, which were completed as part of the design process, have also been framed and displayed (below). These blocks are from the top and bottom row of the quilt, which illustrates just how far the quilt evolves from one end to the other.

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: PAES block
12″ x 12″
2012
$100

Ohio Star: Physics Research

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

60″ x 48″
2014
$500

This photoquilt is based on a picture of the stairwell inside the Physics Research building at Ohio State. The palette is restricted to browns, golds, pale blues, and whites. The photos are sewn into a traditional Ohio star quilt pattern creating the overall effect of an Escher-inspired series of neverending staircases.

As I normally do, I started by creating four 12-inch blocks which I sewed into a 24-inch square. I do this with lots of my quilts. Some go on to become full-size quilts, but many do not. I custom built a frame for the 24-inch version (below) and then decided to make a full-sized 4′ x 5′ version (above). The full-size quilt received The President’s Award at the 2014 Ohio State Staff Arts and Crafts Show.

24″ x 24″
2012
sold

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: Scarlet Skyway

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

72″ x 48″
2012
$500

This photoquilt incorporates an picture taken inside the Scarlet Skyway, a red glass bridge that connects two buildings on the Ohio State campus. From inside, pink light shines through the red glass giving everything a pink glow, including the structure which supports the bridge. This piece was a reaction to the strong lines and contrast in Ohio Star: Stadium Gates, which is all black lines on blue sky. Scarlet Skyway is a riot of color. The photos are sewn into a traditional Ohio star quilt pattern.

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: Stadium Gates

Posted on October 24, 2012 by admin

48″ x 72″
2012
$500

Ohio Stadium, home of the Buckeyes, is surrounded by these gates, which incorporate the university’s “Block O” logo. In this photoquilt, the Block O repeats across the gates and is transformed into other shapes. The photos are sewn into a traditional Ohio star quilt pattern.

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts

Ohio Star: Wexner Center

Posted on October 24, 2012 by admin

60″ x 48″
2012
$500

The Wexner Center is Ohio State University’s art gallery. The striking white geometric exterior contrasts nicely against the deep blue of the sky in these pictures. The photos are sewn into a traditional Ohio star quilt pattern. This quilt received The Provost’s Award at the 2013 Ohio State Staff Arts and Crafts Show.

Ohio Star photoquilts | Other photoquilts