...en plein air

I have taken a modern approach to a 19th century story regarding the colour violet; the story goes as such… In 1874, a group of artists formed the Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers, etc. in Paris. They aimed to defy the traditional Académie des Beaux-Arts after their work was rejected by the Salon. Led by Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and others, they believed that the old academic style lacked vibrancy and truth. The establishment ridiculed the Impressionists, with Louis Leroy dismissing Monet's Impression, Sunrise as an unfinished sketch. Critics often criticized their use of violet, with some speculating that they suffered from "violettomania." It was also thought that their use of violet was due to them painting “en plein-air” too much and the complementary colour of the sun was violet. However, the Impressionists embraced violet as they believed shadows and complementary colors played a crucial role. In 1881, Édouard Manet claimed that he had discovered the true color of the atmosphere - violet - predicting that the whole world would embrace it in three years' time.

I have used this group of humans in my work before in various mediums and methods. This time they are appliqued using a zigzag stitch. They are embracing each other in solidarity of life. They are looking at on the horizon and all that life has to offer.

I have used hand-dyed violet fabrics along with commercial violet-coloured fabrics.

It is machine pieced and machine quilted.