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Quilted sculpture at entrance: "Krakow Kabuki Waltz," by Virginia Jacobs

Took a road trip to catch the final days of "Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories" at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA last week. 

It seemed to me that this exhibit had many layers. There was so much to unpack!

A majority of the pieces included came from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The examples chosen from their collection dated from the 1800's to the present, so the work on display covered many pivotal moments in the nation's history.

The quilters of these quilts are all unknown, but they show a good deal of the individuality of their makers. From left to right: Railroad Quilt, (after 1888), Henry Clay Feathered Star, (after 1844), Hoosier Suffrage Quilt, (after 1920)


For me, the star of the show was Harriette Power's famous quilt. So many quilt history books include this piece of American folk art. It was exciting to see it in person! (See this link for more information on this quilt: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556462)

The Powers quilt has been front of mind because this year QuiltCon 2023 showcased a special exhibit based on this famous quilt in "Paying Homage to Harriet Powers." Quilters from several historically African American quilt guilds got together to reproduce the individual blocks from this piece. (Many thanks Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild, Princeton, New Jersey, Brown Stitchers of Atlanta, Georgia, and Akoma Ntoso Modern Quilt Guild of Indianapolis, Indiana, for giving Harriette the spotlight!!!) 


  

The overall presentation of "Fabric of a Nation" really celebrated this art form and the many voices of quilters, past and present. 

For instance, the African American quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama were well represented. (Check out this link for more information on this important group of artisans:  https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/gees-bend-quiltmakers)

Left to right: 1) Housetop, 12- Block variation, Lillie Mae Pettway, 2) Bricklayer or Courthouse Steps, Creola Bennett Pettway & Geogianna Bennett Pettway, 3) Double Wedding Ring, unknown quilter

Vote (Housetop Variation) Irene Williams

And there were contemporary voices speaking to the African American experiences: 

Left to right: 1) To God & Truth, Bisa Butler, 2) Strange Fruit II, Carolyn L Mazloomi, 
3) Ruby Bridges, Kisasi Ramsess


I had never before seen an example of Amish quilting in person. Loved the bold color, the simplicity, and the expert quilting.

Floating Bars, unknown quilter

Nor had I seen a Baltimore Album quilt up close. Amazing appliqué skills!

Album Quilt, unknown quilter

This was a spectacular example in the crazy quilt style, with lots of embroidery:

Pictorial Crazy Quilt, Celestine Bacheller

There were a few innovative uses of the medium, like Sula Bermúdez-Silverman's "Los Angeles, California constructed of clear vinyl, thread and found objects, . . .
 
the use of patchwork for upholstery by Joel Otterson in "Bathtub Chaise Lounge," . . .

and this cool three dimensional piece, constructed with an upcycled antique quilt. "Fool's Gambit," by Sanford Biggers, fit right in to the corner of the room. The artist's statement shared that the intent was "not to erase the original quilt, but to layer an additional meaning and artistry, creating a new keepsake of memories from different generations."

I could go on. 
Suffice it to say that it was a well spent afternoon at a really wonderful venue.















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