In 1970 Yoshiko Jinzenji - who was in North America to study western flower arrangement - stumbled across the antique Amish quilts that inspired her to start working as a quilt artist. She soon became recognized for her unique talent and since has been invited to exhibit at some of the world's biggest quilt exhibitions including the 30th anniversary of the "International Quilt Festival" (Houston, Texas, 2004). Jinzenji's pieces are in the permanent collections of the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas; International Quilt Study Centre & Museum (Nebraska); Museum of Art and Design (New York); New England Quilt Museum (Lowell, MA); and The Victoria and Albert Museum.
During her 30 years of artisanal quilt making, Jinzenji has synthesized a wide range of cultural styles, from the stitching handiwork of Amish and Mennonite quilts and the patchwork altar cloths of her native Japan to the dyeing traditions of Bali, where she now keeps a studio. In this slim, well-illustrated handbook, she offers readers insight into the multicultural origins of the quilting medium and experienced quilters the secrets of creating their own works through how-to diagrams. Jinzenji also conveys a sense of spiritual portentousness in her approach: "What I am striving for is to bring out and add to the essential textures of the cloth, to create shadows and light, and to find a balance between minimalism and a sense of richness." Incorporating lustrous fabrics, some made by textile designer Jun'ichi Arai, and handmade paper, as well as competing patterns and cross textures, Jinzenji sometimes seems to err on the side of richness over minimalism. Her work succeeds best, however, when it's at its most subtle and clean. "Dew II," for instance, a ribbed, white quilt with flecks of inlaid color arranged in long, broken lines, straddles Hopi and Japanese geometries in a tasteful, restrained manner. And "Sound," with its spare, modern pixels, shimmers subtly. For aficionados of quilting, or those of artful handicrafts in general, this book will offer pleasure and inspiration. 100 color and 300 b&w photos. (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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