Spady Museum Explores the Stories in the Stitches, Closes 2009 With Tribute To African-American Quilting November 2, 2009

Many stories can be heard through the stitches of a quilt.

Fabric that was taken from a soldier’s uniform or a child’s blanket or from the discards of clothes worn by the plantation’s master are pieced together to form a purposeful piece of art. The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum will end its schedule of 2009 art exhibits with a tribute to the many tales of history and creativity woven into quilts.

From November 2 through December 21, it will showcase “From Quilts in the Attic to Quilts on the Wall: Exploring Textile Art by African Americans,” in its first-floor gallery space. The new traveling exhibit is comprised of 12 quilts, two each from six artists, organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and the South Carolina State Museum.

The works in this exhibit pay homage to Harriet Powers, who is considered the great grandmother of art quilting. Her art quilts date back to 1895, where she exhibited at the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta.

“During the late 19th century ‘story’ or narrative quilts, as well as stringy or strip quilts, were popular among African American quilters. Harriet Powers is perhaps the most recognized example of African American story quilts,” said Elaine Nichols, curator of history, South Carolina State Museum.

The artists in this exhibition explore and depict their African heritage through cloth using a variety of techniques from traditional to non-traditional quilting. Included is the use of indigo in the art of batik by Arianne King Comer and pieced and quilted fabric and acrylic paint on canvas by Wendell Brown. Exhibiting artists are Dr. Edward Bostick, Brown, Dorothy Montgomery, Torreah Cookie Washington, Comer (co-curator), and Catherine Lamkin (co-curator).

On his website, Bostick said he began learning the craft of quilt-making from his grandmother, aunts and great aunt.
“My main purpose in quilt-making is to revive and maintain an interest in the art form. I wish to relate the important cultural and historical legacy of southern African American women … The earliest forms were String/Diamond quilts made by slave women who used small pieces of strings and other remnants leftover from making the ‘master's’ clothes and quilts to construct their own quilts. The diamond shapes represent birth, life, death and rebirth," Bostick writes on his website, www.africanamericanquilts-bostick.com/
"The quilts also reflect the role of sympathetic white Americans in the pre-Civil war era. Hidden messages to slaves attempting to escape north to freedom were encoded in quilt symbols. ‘Log Cabin’ quilts indicated a safe house for escaped slaves to hide in. ‘The Turn-Dash’ symbolized a wagon available for transport to the next safe escape route. Additionally, my collection includes depictions of African and Native American mythological symbols and creatures."
Museum Educator Brandy Brownlee said she selected the exhibit because it was textile and interpretative, promising great community discussions about the legacy of quilting through generations.
For more information about the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth Avenue, call 561-279-8883 or visit www.spadymuseum.org.

Official Website: http://www.spadymuseum.com