Alice Aida Ayers is from Albuquerque, NM, but has lived throughout the US and a few African countries. Since 2018 and she’s been based out of El Paso, where she serves on the board of the El Paso Art Association. She is an adjunct professor at Henderson State University and serves as Director of Therapeutic Arts for Central City Development Corporation, in Iowa.
Alice holds degrees in Fine Art, Design and Art Education, and has exhibited work in America, Europe, Mexico, and several countries in Africa. As an artist in education she has conducted residencies in over 250 schools, colleges, community centers and has painted over 20 community public murals. Her work is created with strong colors and shapes and she loves depicting the female figure. The work is created with a sense of joy, depicting women as nurturers and lovers. Whether working with canvas and paint or fabric and thread the color and pattern choices come through.
Artist's Statement:
My work is textile art, which can be described as collage quilts. I use a combination of ethnic fabrics, recycled materials, repurposed fabrics, found objects, embroidery and applique. The process is a layering of fabric for the design as an applique’, similar to a regular quilt. Fabric is sewn with embroidery thread to attach the pieces onto a cloth surface. As an artist I am drawn to the art of creating texture, through layering, found objects and stitching. I adore fabrics and textiles, especially from Africa, and I use these in the pieces I make.
The work is tactile, colorful, spontaneous, thoughtful, vibrant, and playful. It inspires the viewer to touch it and step closer to decipher the stitching and symbolism.
I love sewing. The process, the act of creating, is what is most exciting for me, and the bonus is when the result turns out as planned. Each piece is handsewn and I use basic stitches that were taught to me by my grandmother and my mother. This type of artform is such a personal activity, one that brings me immense joy. One quilt can take up to two months or more to compete.
Quilting in the African-American community is a major influence in the work, and though these are not traditional quilts, there is a thread of storytelling through patterns, stitches and subject matter, just like quilts from the past. This body of work depicts portraits of women in my life. They are based on family members, friends and ancestors. The purpose is to celebrate their energy and pay homage to them.