A Century of African-American Quilts
The lively tradition of quilting in American following the abolition of slavery (from the 1870s to approximately 1990) is revealed in the exhibition, "A Century of African-American Quilts," which opened on January 30, 2016 and is on view through January 2, 2018, at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. Freedom from convention sets these examples apart from ordinary, more commonplace appliqué and piecing techniques. The exhibition features twelve quilts, six of which have never before been exhibited.
"The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is known for its outstanding collection of British and American quilts, but our growing assemblage of African-American quilts has received relatively little exposure," said Ronald L. Hurst, the Foundation's vice president for collections, conservation, and museums and its Carlisle H. Humelsine Chief Curator. "It seems particularly appropriate to share a substantial number of these striking objects in a single showing as we celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of Black Americans."
Depending on the location of the quilter, the purpose for which the quilt was made and the quilter's personal artistic vision, these African-American-made covers varied widely during the time period explored in "A Century of African-American Quilts." Some of the women who made the pieces adapted or were inspired by Anglo-American neighbors. Others appear to have been guided by their own artistic vision, informed and influenced by their African heritage. An especially unique regional group from the twentieth century represented in the exhibition is those quilts from the Gee's Bend, Alabama, vicinity. These quilts are renowned for their innovative use of color, pattern, asymmetry and the free adaptation of traditional quilt designs.
"A Century of African-American Quilts is made possible through the generous gifts from The Stone Family Fund of Los Angeles, California, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Not only a celebration of the rich tradition of post-abolition African-American handcrafts, "A Century of African-American Quilts" is certain to appeal to quilting and folk art aficionados of all walks of life.
