Alan Kelcher at his opening at Magnet. His fabric art fascinated those who gathered at The Castro’s medical and cultural center. Photo by Rink.

Magnet, the Castro center of gay/bi men’s health and socializing, has set up its latest gallery from now through the end of May, featuring a new series, “Cruciform,” by Alan Kelchner, exploring the imagery of the cross. Christianity plays an enormous role in this country, and the cross is the most recognizable, most powerful symbol of the faith, says Kelchner. He examines the cross symbol: what it means and how each differing culture revises the symbol. The St. Andrew’s, the Maltese, and the Jerusalem crosses are just a few for example. Says Kelchner, “The work explores what the cross means - not only for myself, but also contemplates what it means for other people across differing times and eras.” Kelchner’s series addresses the faith and the belief in one God. It explores the spirituality of the people that follow the cross and the Christian religion. The titles follow the story of the crucifixion - from Golgotha to the resurrection of Christ. “Faith and hope are what the religion means to its adherents and what the series means for me,” he says.

“By training, I am a painter,” Kelchner tells Bay Times. “I’ve been an artist all of my life.” He says his primary media is the fiber, though he does some painting and photography as well. The work on display is quite different from what one would expect to find in an art show. While trained as a painter, he also was given a love of quilting by his grandmother. “My work is a combination of both of my passions,” he says. The fiber is what is called art quilting.”

“In short, I create the image on/with fabric,” he says. “Then I follow the classic definition of a quilt: top layer (the painted portion), batting layer in the middle, and back layer. Then these are attached by some method.” He usually uses a machine and does what is termed free-motion quilting, where the machine does not dictate the movement of the fabric; but he takes command. This allows him to move the stitching line in any way he wishes. The stitching gives the work its bas-relief effect.

Speaking of his technique, Kelchner tells me that the pieces are painted using a thin paint that acts like watercolor on the fabric. “I find joy in working with these because I have the option of using an anti-diffusant to stop the paint from bleeding into itself, allowing me to make static imagery,” he says. In these pieces he elected not to use this technique, but rather to allow the colors to mesh and combine as they would. “I enjoy this because what I begin with is never what I end up with,” he elaborates. “The wet colors bleed into each other, combining for new colors and patterns.”

He says he has one special piece. “The one that I’m secretly hoping will come home is one of the largest: ‘Cruciform 1 – Watchers.’” He explains, “I seem to be constantly caught up and mesmerized by the colors and the stitching of the piece.”

He tells me the inspiration for these pieces was “The Watchers,” which was the start of the series. The inspiration came from his being a student of religions (personal, neither actual student nor professional). “Growing up as a Christian, the cross was a very powerful symbol for me,” he reveals. “As an artist, I’m very much drawn to the geometric patterns that the placement of the various bars makes.”

When asked what was he trying to say to the viewer, he replied, “My intent was not to say anything to my audience. In general, I’m uncomfortable making statements that direct the viewer’s enjoyment of the work,” He adds, “As my media is somewhat unusual in the art world, the reactions of the audience tend to be rather unique. Instead, I allow the viewers to take what they will.” He says, “The fascination of the quilting lines, the curves and circles I am able to accomplish with the machine, the colors and form - I leave them to consider the cross and what it means to them personally, and how it affects their being.” He concludes, “Religion is so very personal, and I have no intention of proselytizing to the viewers.” 

He accomplishes that by allowing the work to “talk gently to the viewer.” Because the work is abstract, he notes that different people see different things.

He says he was fortunate enough to have people preview the show and give him very personal reactions, “and they were all so very different.”

“As this is my first solo show, I’m very grateful to Magnet for the opportunity to show my work,” he says. “I have been given the opportunity to see my work in a new and clear light.” He summarizes, “It also clarifies my vision of what I am about and what I am doing.”