February Meeting with Valerie Goodwin-Cutting Edge Explorations

Cutting Edge Explorations

Technology's increasing influence on the world of art is widespread. It is changing how art is made and technology has been providing artists with new ways to express themselves for a very long time. My current work as a quilt artist has been affected by technology, specifically through the use of laser cutting technology. I plan to elaborate on how I use it in my fiber art maps and in my work as an architectural educator.

This talk will focus on these questions:

• How does technology push art?
• How can it push work of artists who work in textiles arts?
• How has laser cutter technology influenced my work as a fiber artist?

More about Valerie S. Goodwin: Artist, Author, Architect, College Professor

Valerie S. Goodwin is a mixed media fiber artist and architect whose works of fine art are included in museum and private collections. Most of her work is inspired by a love of aerial views of landscapes and cities. Many of her quilts are based on maps.

Goodwin’s art has moved through various stages from traditional quilting to an interest in abstract expressionism and, currently it is inspired by real and imaginary landscapes and cities. In some cases, her work shows an architectural sense of space with an archaeological perspective. In others, the network of the city and its built form is more prominent. These compositions work on several levels, from close up and far away as if one was looking at it from above.

She received degrees in architecture from Washington University and Yale University. Her award winning work has been widely published and exhibited. She also lectures and gives workshops nationally and internationally. For over 26 years, she taught architectural design at Florida A & M University.