Interview
Vince Quevedo
Vince Quevedo is an esteemed designer and artist widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to fashion design, wearable art, art quilts, and innovative teaching methodologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clothing and Textiles, a Master of Science in Workforce Education and Development, and a Master of Fine Arts in textiles/fiber from esteemed institutions. With 34 years of experience, Quevedo has garnered acclaim as a finalist and winner in the American Quilter's Association's design competition. His designs have graced the renowned Bernina Fashion Show, and he holds four patents in functional and aesthetic design. Furthermore, he is the proprietor of Vinci Design Studios, which provides complimentary equipment, fashion education, and consulting services to various organizations. Professor Quevedo's exceptional expertise and numerous achievements distinguish him in his field.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I possess a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design and a Master's in Workforce Education and Development. From a young age, I've been drawn to the world of fashion and aspired to become a teacher. After gaining valuable experience in the fashion industry, I transitioned into teaching fashion design while also pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Textiles at the University of Nebraska. Throughout my college years, I not only excelled academically but also competed as an elite gymnast and was an active member of a dance troupe. Art has always been an integral part of my life, igniting a passion that continues to drive me each day. My upbringing was surrounded by academia, as both my parents were university professors. My mother, in particular, was an Olympic gymnastics coach, while my father taught Physics. Additionally, my family owned a gymnastics center where I had the privilege of coaching boys and girls at an advanced level. Teaching has always been my true vocation, and I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge and passion with others.”
What inspires you?
“My artistic expression is intricately woven into human experiences, reflective practice, and experiential learning through creation. I utilize quilting, handcrafting, photography, and technology to meticulously scrutinize diverse facets of contemporary culture and society. Positioned within the arts and culture domain, it honors human imagination as manifested through art. Design thinking is fundamental to my methodology as I transform personal insights and concepts into tangible embodiments. Additionally, I innovatively harness digital technology to bring my ideas to life and craft a distinctive and captivating perspective for viewers to engage with.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My art delves into the complex interplay of societal pressures, desires, self-reflection, interpretation, emotion, and faith. Rather than aiming to persuade or provide answers, my work seeks to prompt introspection and contemplation in the viewer, encouraging them to question themselves and the world around them.”
How would you describe your work?
“In my art, I strive to capture my interpretation of the world around me. I find myself working in an environment filled with toxicity, where success seems reserved only for a chosen few, and others are expected to fail. It's disheartening to witness the prevalence of deceit, hate, jealousy, and the relentless pursuit of dominance. In response, I feel compelled to use my art as a means of uplifting those who are overlooked and undervalued. My creative expressions are a direct reflection of the challenging world I navigate every day.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I find that it's not necessarily artists who influence me but rather the people around me who have the greatest impact. I am fascinated by the myriad ways people express their emotions, much like the unique patterns of snowflakes. The raw and unedited expressions of joy, pain, disappointment, life, love, hate, death, and religion captivate my attention. When I encounter these expressions, I am driven to capture my own reactions and share them with others.”
“My art delves into the complex interplay of societal pressures, desires, self-reflection, interpretation, emotion, and faith.”
What is your creative process like?
“The traditional craft of quilting has evolved significantly with digital and sewing technology integration. My work has expanded the possibilities of quilting and transformed how we approach this craft. By seamlessly integrating digital images and surface design with texture, I have found a way to convey my artistic concepts through fabric. This innovative use of high-tech technology in a traditionally low-tech craft has given rise to a unique art form, which I proudly call art quilting. It has not only broadened the horizons of artmaking but also ushered in a new era in quilting, similar to a digital renaissance. My process begins with digitally altering a photograph in Photoshop to create the foundation for my art quilt. Subsequently, I use a digital textile printer to transfer the modified image onto cotton fabric. Adding texture to the fabric through echo and channel stitching further enhances the visual impact. Leaving certain parts of the image unquilted adds depth and visual interest to the final quilt.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“As an artist, I view myself as a historian capturing the essence of a specific moment in time. Through my work, I aim to translate the world around me, offering a unique perspective on the beauty and complexities of life. Creating art is akin to preserving a snapshot of time and space, immortalizing emotions and experiences. Artists have diverse interpretations of our purpose in this world, and we express our narratives through various mediums such as realism, abstract forms, text, movement, voice, and print. Ultimately, we are all storytellers, using our art to share our unique perspectives and experiences.”
Website: vincidesigns.artweb.com
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/vincidesigns
