Michael James’s non-traditional quilts feature complex patterns that blend abstract and recognizable images. In this talk, James will address the ambiguity inherent in his work and reflect on his long career in studio production. James chairs the Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and his textiles are included in the collections of New York’s Museum of Arts and Design, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery.

This program is part of the Voices of American Design lecture series. Free for museum members and current GW students, faculty, and staff; $10 for the public. Advance registration is required; space is limited. Register online or call 202-994-7394.

Michael was the TQS Quilting Legend in 2013.

In Show 1313, our first stop was the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where Michael serves as Chair and Ardis James Professor of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design. UN-L is also home to the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, and we were treated to insights on the collections from Michael and from Carolyn Ducey, Curator of Collections. Michael then revealed how he transitioned from painter to textile artist, and the evolution of his work in the process. In addition, he shared a technique for enhancing a wholecloth quilt, and welcomed us to his home for a tour of his studio, a peek at his fabric collection, and a preview of the latest piece on his design wall.