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 textile artist and modern quilt designer whose practice blends traditional quilting techniques with contemporary aesthetics, embracing both improvisation and minimalism.

Over the past two years, Michelle's work has been featured in prominent venues, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the PNW Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum, the Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte, and CAM Raleigh. She has shown three solo exhibitions at the PAAL Gallery, the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, and the Durham Art Guild. She has participated in notable juried group shows in locations such as ArtFields, Truist Gallery, ArtSpace NC, and international exhibitions in Taiwan, France, Italy, and Czechia.

Michelle has completed artist residencies in France and at Pine Meadow Ranch, Ox-Bow School of Art, the Durham Art Guild, and the Penland School of Craft in the US. Her work has been featured in multiple publications and included in the book Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century.