Microscape Quilt Exhibit Captures Microscopic Wonders

McAllen, TX – The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition, Microscape, presented in collaboration with the Studio Art Quilts Associates (SAQA) on May 11. This global exhibition showcases the intricate and captivating world of microscopic and magnified views through the medium of art quilts. Microscape is supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Microscopes, magnifying glasses, and virtual imaging techniques have unveiled a universe of remarkable beauty and complexity beyond the naked eye’s perception. Microscape delves into this hidden realm, inviting viewers to explore the minutiae of our known world, from the smallest particles to the tiniest organisms and natural details. Through the lens of art quilts, artists participating in this exhibition capture the essence of these microscopic wonders or magnify larger objects to reveal their smallest intricacies.

“Microscape presents viewers with an intersection of art and science and is an observation of the natural world experienced through the eyes of the SAQA artists featured in this exhibition,” states IMAS Curator, Marcelo Ramirez Garcia Rojas. “As an art and science museum, IMAS wants visitors to think about the relationship between the two fields of study and how artists and scientists perceive the natural world. Utilizing an unconventional medium like the art quilt to present these natural phenomena is a unique approach to understanding the importance of the minute details of our environment.”

SAQA, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to promoting the art quilt medium. With a vision for the art quilt to be universally respected as fine art, SAQA has fostered a vibrant community of over 4,000 artists, curators, collectors, and art professionals spanning the globe for the past three decades.

Microscape offers a unique opportunity to witness the convergence of art and science, artists translate the invisible and the overlooked into tangible expressions of creativity. Through their innovative use of textiles and quilting techniques, these artists redefine traditional notions of scale and perspective, inviting audiences to contemplate the beauty and complexity inherent in the microcosm.

Microscape will be on display at the International Museum of Art & Science from May 11 – August 25, 2024. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of microscopic wonders and discover the artistry embedded within the fabric of our existence. A special IMAS Member preview reception will be held on Thursday, May 9, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and is free for members, $10 for member guests. More information at theimasonline.org/microscape.