Velga Easker at CSPS

VELGA EASKER
Paper Quilts: Musings from the Mailbox
CSPS debut | Having a day job in the real world," writes artist Velga Easker, "where mail passed over my desk and time was spent on the phone, led my wandering eye to catch the color, line and design possibilities in the American flag stamp. Further working with that stamp, cutting and rearranging it, led me on to explore the designs and colors of the security envelopes on which the stamps were affixed. This use of materials which others might just toss aside was a good fit for my natural thriftiness.
"The traditional quilt format is the current context within which I use these materials. As women in the past sewed their quilts from leftover fabric and worn-out clothes, I assemble and sew mine from discards and leftovers. The patterns and colors of security envelopes as well as stamp arrangements mimic fabric and I use them as such.
"I enjoy the surprise of the viewer as they inspect and then discover the raw material of the quilts. I see it as a serious look at not so serious material in our very serious world."
Velga Easker was born in Valmiera, Latvia, grew up in Des Moines, and earned her BA in art from the University of Iowa. For the past 18 years, she has been using discarded everyday materials to create collages and assemblages. In addition to stamps and envelopes, her materials have included business reply cards, plastic blister packs, plastic bread and produce tabs, plastic wrap, cash register receipts, and packaging material.
Velga's work has been exhibited widely throughout Iowa and Illinois, and in Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona. She has received commissions from Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids; Waverly Health Center, Waverly, Iowa; and Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa.
Apr 30 through June 1
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids
Open Weds through Sun 11 to 6

Related events | CSPS hosts an artist reception for Velga Easker on Fri May 9 from 5-7 pm.

Visit artist's Web site
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