Lena Wolff "Patterns and Spells"

Bay Area artist Lena Wolff combines iconography from American quilts with symbols for democracy and the larger universe in a body of work that forms an interplay of poetically related images. Working with variations of quilt patterns passed down through generations and shared across communities for centuries, she interweaves a geometric eight-pointed star with more literal representations of the natural world- suns, moons and constellation lines in a wide array of unexpected mediums. Grounded in traditions of handcraft, Wolff presents wood wall sculptures made with marquetry and inlay, side by side richly colored abstract collages, delicate pen drawings, and politically relevant text embroidery pieces that together create an evocative call and response in relationship to one another.

In her inaugural exhibition at the gallery, entitled ‘Patterns & Spells’, Wolff investigates the power of visual symbols and images to shape culture, politics, and our state of mind. When contemplating the notion of casting spells, she considers the potential for patterns to mesmerize, hold us captive and create a sense of awe, while equally looking at how the visual symbolism we generate informs cultural imagination. Her iconic, Quilt for the Future, 2019, a cerulean blue paper quilt collage, combines images from 19th century American sampler quilts with more recent symbols for democracy, equality, justice, queer culture, free speech and a sustainable future, linking historic quilt imagery with vision for a more just body politic.

Words and images via Sarah Shepard Gallery.