I recently had cause to review some of my blog posts about the WOW Westminster public art installation. My 2016 piece ‘Dramatically Diagonal’ has been accepted for the Grand National Fibre Art travelling exhibition: Textures of Canada, and I was asked to provide information about my inspiration for it. I was inspired to write a blog post about it.
The WOW Westminster was a public art installation on the bank of the Fraser River located in New Westminster BC. It was 140-foot installation, comprising four 40-foot shipping containers precariously cantilevered to form a W-shape. It was designed by Brazilian artist José Resende and was installed in 2015. Sadly, in September 2020, the pier was destroyed by fire, and the big W installation was demolished.
I’m fascinated by the diagonal lines and perspective of this piece of art. I’ve taken many photos of it, and used many of them as inspiration for my art. Here are a few of the many photos I’ve taken during the 5 years it existed (2015-2020).
I enjoyed looking back at all of the artworks I’ve made based on WOW Westminster. I made at least one every year from 2016 to 2020. Click on the links below to see the original posts about them.
- 2016 – Dramatically Diagonal
- 2017 – W and the 3 Bridges
- 2017 – Jade Sky at Night
- 2018 – WOW Westminster with Dots
- 2019 – two abstract versions
- 2020 – Dramatic Diagonals – a very small version, only 6 x 6 inches
After re-reading all my posts about these quilts, I was motivated to create another art quilt inspired by the W!
I used the same line drawing as the 2020 mini quilt and increased it to 16 x 16 inches. I pulled out all of my fabrics in the ‘red oxide’ range – which I refer to as ‘rust’ – eliminating the ones that were too red or orange or brown. I discovered I still had some of the fabrics I used in the previous versions.
I constructed the W on a piece of black felt, fusing the fabrics in place then stitching them with black thread. Then I trimmed the felt closely around the W.
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The background was constructed separately and the final step was to attach the W to the background. I mounted it on a 16 x 16 inch black canvas frame. Its title is ‘WOW Westminster Remembered’.
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Thanks for joining me on my trip down memory lane.
I’m linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
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What a shame that art display was destroyed. Thank you for reminiscing about the piece. All of your art pieces based on the WOW were fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
From your friends in the US, Bellingham WA
WOW is right Terry!!! What a beautiful way to honor such an amazing art piece,
that I’m sure so many people loved. Please keep sharing your amazing Creativity and Masterful sewing techniques. You are truly an artist and one that loves to share and explain her work. I love the fact that you are always creating new ways to create your quilting Artwork. You’re an inspiration to so many.
Keep up your great job. Thank you for sharing your braille quilt with me, I’m in the process of making nine table runners with your technique.
Judy Mead, Michigan