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Mary Pal

Artist member since 2023
Toronto, Ontario

Mary Pal is a Canadian fibre artist best known for her cheesecloth portraiture, artworks that are made with sculpted cheesecloth that is stitched to a textile backing, using a technique she pioneered over a decade ago. The resulting portraits are meticulously detailed and exquisitely textural.

Her work has been exhibited and collected throughout the world and published in numerous books and magazines. With over 40 years of teaching experience, she is a sought-after and popular instructor who enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with her students around the globe. A past Director on the Board of the international organization, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Mary is an enthusiastic promoter of the burgeoning fibre art movement.


Inside the Studio


Q+A

Favourite medium

Cheesecloth

Coffees per day and from where

Two cappuccinos every morning from my Ascaso espresso machine

I'm really good at making (a) ...

... at making cheesecloth reflect subtle value shifts, and using it to convey chiaroscuro

What places do you hang out in Toronto?

AGO, Power Plant, Gallery 1313

Favourite book

The Overstory by Richard Powers

What do you listen to when you work?

I listen to music/poetry/autobiography/podcast of whoever is depicted in my current portrait

Upcoming Exhibitions
2023-09-14

Strasbourg, France
Carrefour Europeen de Patchwork

Select Past Exhibitions
2023

Propeller Gallery, Toronto
UnFramed

2022

Gallery 1313, Toronto
Conversations

2023

Taiwan Art Quilt Society
TAS International Exhibition

2023

Campbell House Museum, Toronto
Colour With a U

2023

International Quilt Museum, Lincoln NE
Layered & Stitched

Press
2023

The Quilt Show
Episode 3220

2023

West End Phoenix
Interview

Education
1976

Mt Allison University
B.A.

1977

Queen's University
B.Ed.

Social
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