PHYLLIS STEPHENS

Almine Rech New York is excited to host the latest series of tapestries, TheMovement of Material, by esteemed Atlanta-based quilter and visual artistPhyllis Stephens. The first solo exhibition Stephens will be partaking in withAlmine Rech, this collection of ten new works radiates a vibrant joyous energythat will undoubtedly leave audiences feeling inspired.

At the core of this exhibition is an appreciation for the energy of dance. Theseries alludes to the artist’s own history and passion for movement. Dancinghas been an integral part of her creative process and life, transforming anytime and space into one of happiness and inspiration. Reminiscent of familygatherings, time spent with friends, or embracing one’s own self, dancetransforms an instinctual part of the human experience into a beautifulperformance of life itself.

When reflecting on the series of works Stephens commented, ‘Danceconnects you like nothing else can. Dance has power. It has influence. It hasstructure. It has everything you want in your life to bring happiness and joy andemotions that we don’t even recognise. There’s nothing like a slow dance,especially if you love that person. There’s nothing like hearing your song andbeing able to dance to it. Most brides remember their wedding dances; thedance with their father as well as the first dance with their new husband. I’memotionally connected to the power of dance. There is a freedom to it. Likequilt making. If you get a rhythm to it, you make something.’

Stephens speaks to the undeniable parallels between dance and her famedpractice of quilt-making. There is intricate attention to detail, like each stepand beat matched in a choreographed dance. Stephens meticulously sortsand chooses only the best quality hands-painted fabrics, which are artworksin and of themselves, until she discovers the pieces that speak to her and themessage of each quilted work. Vivid colours and dynamic patterns add theirown rhythm to the composition. The expressions and body language of eachsubject seem to erupt before our eyes. Through Stephens’s signature use ofquilting, fabric transforms into movement. These narratives enliven us, speakto our souls, and stir within us the euphoric emotions of dance in bold newways.

Unique to this body of work, Stephens does not place her figures solely inthe natural environment or on patterned background. These individuals areshown in a mixture of natural and urban settings giving a relevantcontemporary atmosphere to the works. In Work It, we see two individualsshimmering like neonic city lights striking a pose on the busy streets,showing that everyone has the power to stand out. Conversely, UpwardBound” expresses the power of dancing alone. Depicted in a bright andvibrant palette of colours and patterns, the dancer’s power emanates againstthe industrial background, unveiling how believing in ourselves reveals apathway forward and upward. Then there is Whirlwind. Here, Stephensoffers a glimpse into the intimate loving moments of parent and child wheredancing is full of a pure and innocent laughter.

Whether young or old, we cannot help but succumb to the music thatenvelopes us, moves our bodies in cheerful expression, and brings us solacein a swaying embrace. Phyllis Stephens’s The Movement of Materialcelebrates the beauty of life through one of the most universal experiences,dance.

Press release courtesy Almine Rech. Text: Charles Moore.