I’ve been home from QuiltCon in Nashville for about a week. I’ve been catching up on email, sewing and family stuff. Here are photos of quilts that were especially thought-provoking.
There were many activist quilts in the show, including the one above. I’m not showing the quilts to make any kind of political statement, but because I think it’s interesting that people have always made activist quilts and are doing so now possibly more than ever.
Valerie Luberecki describes her quilt like this:
Between April and June of this year, an estimated 2342 children were separated from their families at USA borders per government order. My heart grieves for these families and the impact that will be felt for generations.
I made a square for each child who was affected by this trauma. A dark background for a dark situation, and varying shades of (mostly) yellow to represent the hope and light in each child. The piecing and quilting both were designed to reflect the variety of people and circumstances, the chaos, and the separation. When seen all together, 2342 squares of light feels both beautiful and heavy. My hope is that the light can outshine and heal from this dark chapter in our history.
I’d estimate this quilt to be around 60″ square. Below, my finger in the shot gives you an idea of how small the piecing was.
Separated won the People’s Choice award at QuiltCon 2019. I think it was well deserved.
Another quilt that was difficult to look at was this one, “RIP, Trayvon” by Sara Trail from Antioch, California. It’s just hard to wrap your head around what these quilts from the Youth category are expressing. Don’t we all want our children to feel treasured, loved and encouraged?
And this quilt blew me away.
Its message made me sad, but the artistic expression of the woman was inspired, and inspiring.
I think she’s beautiful. The colors are joyful. Maybe that’s why the quilt works: a dark message juxtaposed with exuberance.
Many of the activist quilts in the Youth category were made at the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Visit their website to learn more.
I understand activists quilts have been around for a long time and they are a creative way of making your views known. That said, the examples shown are one-sided. How many quilts exhibited show a different point of view? Equal? Quilting is an excellent media, the methods shown make a unique statement.
What a vicarious thrill! Thank you sooo much for sharing these powerful, riveting, important art quilts.
I dont appreciate these pieces. They’re not quilts, they’re wall hangings. Also, regarding the separated piece; I don’t believe 2018 was when family separation at the border began. Check it out; you’ll have to go back a few years. But like I always say, don’t confuse folks with the facts ….