Mary Anne Jordan

BIO

Mary Anne Jordan received an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, and BFA from University of Michigan School of Art.  Jordan has exhibited artwork nationally across the US and internationally in Japan, Poland, South America, France, Canada.  In 2005-2006 Jordan was a Research Fellow at the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska. She is an Associate Fellow at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the University of Nebraska. She has served on the board of the Textile Society of America, the Surface Design Association, and International Advisory Board at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. She has taught workshops at Arrowmont, Haystack, Penland, Splitrock, and the Quilt and Surface Design Symposium.  Jordan’s work has been published in various books, exhibition catalogs, magazines and journals such as Fiberarts, Surface Design Journal, American Craft.

Her own creative work utilizes quilt-making processes that incorporate uniquely dyed, printed, and/or painted textiles. Her research on a wide range of textile traditions has been a great source of inspiration. A short list of influences include the appliquéd and embroidered Kuba cloth skirts from Africa; the complex weave structures of Ancient Peru; the extensive traditions and histories of textiles in Asia (in particular the sublime color and pattern combination of textiles from Japan, China, and Korea).   American quilts and quilt patterns, and pattern names, have been another major area of interest and influence for over twenty years.

Artist Statement

Regarding creative research, Jordan states, “I use fabric, color, and pattern as a means to make visual statements that magnify the perfection and flaws of everyday life; I use fabric, color, and pattern as a method to construct metaphors for our culture, (our) lives, and (our) bodies; I use fabric, color, and pattern as a medium to express my ideas, striving to create work that is straight forward and honest.”