About this episode
In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Ivy Clark, a textile artist and scholar who merges the worlds of quilting and data science. Rachel's quilting journey began at a young age when she didn't get into her first-choice class of making stained glass in third grade. What started as a creative outlet soon became a lifelong passion. Over the years, Rachel sewed everything from clothes to community quilts, sharing her art with friends and loved ones. While earning her doctorate in Information Sciences, quilting took a backseat—until a unique opportunity reignited her love for textiles. When approached about using data in textile art, Rachel chose to represent a powerful social topic: gender representation in the US Senate. This decision marked the beginning of her ongoing exploration of how data can be visualized through quilting, transforming complex information into beautiful and accessible art. In this conversation, Rachel discusses how she integrates data into her quilting practice, her thought process behind choosing specific datasets, and how she aims to bring iconic versions of data into the public eye. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on creativity, data, and the power of textile art to spark conversation and change. In the meantime go find Rachel online here: https://www.instagram.com/rachelivyclarke/