Quilting as Art

The Renwick Gallery has a gorgeous exhibition right now called We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists. I was really struck by the power of the art portrayed there. It was interesting, also, to view art that was created with what might be deemed “non-traditional” media.

I was particularly intrigued by this quilt. Unfortunately I did not capture the title or the artist. I plan to go back to the exhibition and will update it. This is a work of art on many levels. First, it has an important social message that challenges the status quo. It brings up the tragedy of innocent lives lost due to unnecessary violence.

Second, the artist thought carefully about the construction of the piece. A strong vertical line and two tension-bearing diagonals spilt the quilt into three areas to focus our gaze.

Third, the artist chose to use black, white, and gray to depict the dead, which creates a poignant contrast to those alive, who are portrayed in bright colors.

Fourth, the artist uses sewing techniques that are unique to quilting as art to suggest subtleties in the figures such as clothing (c.f. drapery folds in classical Greek art) and facial expressions. These further emphasize the humanity of the scene.

I love how artists can take different media and use the elements to create art. I think this piece is exceptional in the amount of meaning it conveys on different levels. The mind of humankind is capable of great things.