John Lefelhocz  John Lefelhocz ("lěf-ä-hōlts") (born 1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American conceptual artist primarily known for his works in the textile arts, specifically art quilts. He attended Ohio University (in Athens, Ohio). Since college, he has owned and operated Cycle Path Bicycle Shop in Athens, at the same time establishing himself as an artist. His art gained higher recognition in the late 1990s. This can be attributed to inclusion in several Quilt Nationals. He has subsequently shown his works throughout the US and abroad. After his education at Ohio University, Lefelhocz experimented in several media including digital illustrations (tessellations), wood assemblages, and found object sculpture. His experimentation with found object sculpture built a foundation for future works that have more emphasis on the conceptual, creating a greater depth of meaning. In the late 1990s Lefelhocz steered toward a style with greater priority on the broader use of multimedia art. This style includes, but is not limited to, the use of digital paper prints, painting, needle work, and a refined use of found objects, frequently assembled in bas relief. These objects create a narrative through the use of metaphor and abstraction. Many of the constructions possess the basic structural characteristics of a quilt. These are made of two distinct layers of predominantly fabric or fabric-like materials that are held together by pierced elements that are distributed throughout the surface of the work. "I have chosen to make artworks that are a construction of layers on several different levels so that viewers can digest my work in much the same way that they would enjoy a well put together sandwich. But the strength of my work goes beyond stitching together layers of fabric. I like to use everyday objects from which I can create layers that are seen from different distances. The layers are seen - or not seen - depending on the distance that the viewer stand from the work." Although Lefelhocz's works are not the classic quilted bed cover, his nonfunctional art quilts retain a symbiotic relationship with classic quilt design. Lefelhocz's quilted work debuted in Quilt National '99. “I was naive and didn’t realize when I entered Quilt National how large the art quilt world was or how much respect there is for the Quilt National brand,” he recalled. “I just thought it was another art show with regional jurors, but the people who select the works for QN are chosen from far-reaching geographic localities and artistic backgrounds to ensure that new and cutting-edge approaches to the quilt making are discovered and recognized.