Body, Spirit And Mind
Mary Anne Kilgannon

“Inside the Dress” what does this mean? To me it means balancing the body, spirit and mind. It is about growth and trust, finding our own paths, seeking knowledge, taming the mind and improving our quality of life. The most common thread that ties my work together is my need to give meaning to my voice in cloth. I create for “ME.” After experiencing difficulties with my health, I was drawn to art as a means of expression, an outlet for emotion and a new and different direction for my life. Quilting is my passion and what I must do. I love working with colours and textures. “Inside the Dress” has been a journey of self-discovery. In telling my story it frees up my body for healing and allows me to accept reality and decide what is really important. It is my long-term goal to have peace instead of stress and joy instead of frustration.

Life begins at dawn. This is why I chose a sunrise landscape based on a photo I took. The tranquility and beauty of nature helps me start each day with a new beginning of hope, meaning and inspiration.

Fabric is my passion, my voice, the creative medium I must use. While the landscape is the symbol of balance the fabric and the ribbon wrapped around the woman symbolize restrictions, limitations, problems, flaws, negativity and a mask.

The mandala quilt takes me back to my roots in quilting. As I worked on the mandala it seemed to give me a zest for life and enlighten my soul.

The circles represent a woman and her life cycles. Vision, balance, spirit, heart, soul, emotions as well as the cycle of “Inside the Dress.” The bell attached to the balance circle (the largest) is very special as it was my mothers. The gems in the middle of the small circles are in honour of this precious lady. The yin and yang circle (the smallest) symbolizes balance. The clear circle ball has silk, rayon and gems inside. It represents the soul, the spiritual part of the woman. The yarn ball is a journey of sewing, knitting, embroidery, crochet, weaving, macramé, appliqué and art quilts as it takes the woman from childhood to present life. The triangle and circle ball represent the body, spirit and mind.

The woman emerging out of the dark and into the light is challenged with becoming more balanced. She is doing Qi Gong as one of her pathways towards becoming centered. She drinks up the dawn in the shimmering horizon and appreciates the wonderful world. It is about breaking free, having fun, remaining hopeful, having the will and vision to produce my voice in cloth.

This project has been self-affirming as my body, spirit and mind has become more balanced. The journey has soothed my soul. Upon reflection it continues to feed me.