Join us at ADX on Friday, May 1st from 5–9pm for the opening reception of Land Quilts, a new exhibition of paintings by Moriah Iverson. Land Quilts seeks to tell truths about the land instead of selling it and evoke feelings of connectivity and comfort instead of conquering.
Land Quilts (2023-2026) is a collection of dreamy, abstract landscapes painted in my favorite corners of the Pacific Northwest - canvases propped up on picnic tables, easels carefully balanced on river rocks, layers of paint mixed with campfire smoke and tree pollen.
Beginning with aerial views of agricultural regions resembling patchwork quilts, Land Quilts started as a love letter to my native Northern California but quickly evolved into colorful interpretations of the PNW’s sweeping blankets of land that have brought me comfort through periods of homesickness. While this corner of the world is known for its lush forests and stunning mountains, I’m drawn to the alien beauty created by the intersection of the natural world and the built environment. Viewers will spot turbines, power lines, hiking trails, and wildfire burns in my paintings; an attempt to include all the various bits and pieces of our world and stitch them together into something sweeter.
Land Quilts explores the softness, femininity and power of these beautiful landscapes in spite of its many scars. These works come from weekends spent circling Mount Hood, swimming in the John Day River, driving along the Columbia River Gorge, always with a backpack full of painting supplies. I’m interested in exploring these places that have often held me through a more feminine lens, almost in opposition to the epic American landscape painters of the mid-19th century. Land Quilts seeks to tell truths about the land instead of selling it and evoke feelings of connectivity and comfort instead of conquering.
My aim is to represent these magical places as I experience them while spending countless hours in their waters, their dirt and their trees. My work draws inspiration from those who master the art of “noticing,” such as Mary Oliver, Georgia O’Keeffe, Dolly Parton. They skillfully craft expansive narratives in poetry, art and music by zooming in on the details—a trait that feels inherently feminine, nurturing something menial into something awe-inspiring. My hope is that viewers enjoy exploring the details and get lost in the world of Land Quilts.
Artist Bio
Moriah Iverson is a Portland-based artist and architectural designer. She is a dabbler, a taurus sun/saggitarius rising and moon and a lifelong lover/creator of art. Her work is driven by a curiosity of “placemaking” and what goes into making the places we love unique. She often paints plein air with watercolors or acrylics but loves drawing diaristic comics and city scenes. When she’s not feverishly sketching outdoors, Moriah can often be found at the movies, lurking in the corners of southeast portland’s coffeeshops, or birdwatching from apartment windows with her cat, Deedee.