Elaine Krajenke Ellison
The appreciation and demystification of mathematics is a common thread
thata runs through my mathematical art. After using a variety of media
including bronze, drawing, glass, and painting, I settled on quilting
mathematics in the early l980's. The quilts serve as a visual
introduction that allow students to explore mathematics as they gain
more insights.
As the number of quilts increased each year, I was able to write
lesson plans for the quilts. The quilt topics were based on what I was
teaching at the time---mostly geometry and algebra. From the
beginning, Mathematical Quilts and More Mathematical Quilts were
published. I have been able to share my love of mathematics with quilt
groups, mathematics groups, museums, and various other interested
groups. I am hoping to meet some of the mathematicians that have
inspired me over the years at the Bridges conference in Baltimore.
Inspired by Dick Termes work on perspective, I decided to design my own four-point perspective! The harpist, Elizabeth Alhgrim, posed for this work along with playing Bach's beautiuful Jesus bleibet meine Freude. The fascinating tie between music, mathematics, and perspective are all exhibited in this creative work.