Red Gold Flight

Artist / Maker Priscilla Kepner Sage (American, b. 1936)

Date1977

MediumAcrylic fabric, machine and hand stitched

Dimensions55 x 30 x 18 in. (139.7 x 76.2 x 45.7 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineFunded by Carole and Roger Custer and purchased by the Alumni Association, Iowa State University. In the Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU2010.3

Status

On view

Collections

Label Text"The Flight series had its basis in the natural forms found in my flower garden. The geometric organization of the petals of a single poppy, a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis or lighting on a stamen, the cascading of wisteria, and the unfurling of an iris blossom all were indirect influences on this work. For the final Flight sculptures, I would construct full-size paper models, suspend them with masking tape, then trim and refine until the relationships of the forms were balanced. The fabric pieces were cut from the paper patterns, machine-stitched, stuffed with polyester fiberfill and stitched back together like a puzzle to create the whole form. Patterns for the interior spaces would also be drawn and cut from the paper. This labor-intensive construction technique allowed open spaces for the webs of stitching. The final sculptures were very personal and often large, 4ft long by 3ft wide by 3ft deep." -Priscilla Sage

Locations