Threaded Discoveries: The Intersection of Fiber Art and Science
Art and science have always been intertwined, and until recently, the ability to draw what one observed in an experiment was a primary skill for communicating scientific findings. Science and quilting have likewise been connected, both artistically and technologically for centuries. Flowers, birds, and other subjects from nature have been a part of quilts in the United States since the early colonial period, and traditional quilt blocks utilize many mathematical and geometrical concepts.
In the modern era, technology has made scientific documentation less reliant on traditional art skills. However, with the increasing complexity of scientific findings, the need for nuance in data interpretation, and the urgent need for evidence-based scientific dialogue, art as a tool for science communication and public engagement around scientific topics is more important than ever. This selection of contemporary art quilts by mother-daughter pair Vicki and Shannon Conley highlights some of their scientific priorities and interests, drawing attention to a wide range of topics including cardiovascular health, inherited retinal degeneration, ecosystem diversity, habitat preservation, and planetary geology.