| The Midwest Fabric Study Group met on Sunday, January
22nd, 2006 at Museum Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were a much smaller
contingent than usual this time. We strayed from our usual format of
looking at old quilts to view the contemporary art quilts of the Threads
of Faith: Recent Works from the Women of Color Quilters Network exhibit.
The exhibit featured 31 quilts each recording personal histories, family
values, political statements and reflections of faith important to
African American quilt artists.
Each of the quilts was fabulous to look at but a few really stuck in
my mind. On was made as a result of a bible study project where each
person was asked to rewrite their version of the Lord's Prayer and turn
it in. This person interpreted hers in quilt form! The words were
appliquéd on in shades of purple on a pieced gold background with
pieced white crosses.
I would say the most unique "quilt" was actually a robe and
cross worn during communion ceremonies. These two pieces were made of
various vintage laces from communion gowns and wedding dresses. The
patterning of the laces created wonderful visual texture along with the
subtle shading ranging from white to cream to beige. This was one of two
pieces that are scheduled to go to the Smithsonian after this exhibit
closes.
The one that made me smile the most was a tribute to Aunt Jemima
titled "Would the Real Jemima Please Stand Up and Claim Her
Inheritance?" This quilt featured a gorgeous svelte Jemima with
three dimensional hair and beads. It explained that Jemima was the
daughter of Job in the Bible and her name means "beautiful as the
day." The docent told us that the lady who did the syrup
commercials was from Ohio and she is buried in Adams County. Her photo
as Aunt Jemima is on her tombstone.
Of all the quilts in the exhibit I'd say the one that came closest to
having a connection to quilt history (I'm loosely making this
connection) was one called "Jubilation Is Freedom Visible?" It
featured photo transfers done onto silk. There were images of wanted
posters, a photo of Frederick Douglass and one of Harriet Tubman, and
also the Emancipation Proclamation. I was quite pleased when the docent
leading our group mentioned the quilt squares represented were
"supposedly" used in the Underground Railroad. Ah…a small
victory for the quilt history world!
If you've never visited Museum Center, also known as Union Terminal,
it is definitely a treat. There is something there for everyone. The
facility has a natural history museum, Cincinnati history museum,
Omnimax theatre and an operating Amtrak stop bound for Chicago!
The building itself is a fantastic example of Art Deco architecture.
It was built in 1933 as Union Terminal train station and was declared a
National Historic Landmark in 1977. In the late 1980s, the building was
renovated and then reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. During
World War II, Cincinnati Union Terminal was a major transfer point for
soldiers and the station served as many as 34,000 passengers on some
days according to their website. One of our members recounted a first
hand story verifying this! If you find yourself in Cincinnati with some
time to kill this is a place worth checking out.
Our next meeting will be on two-color quilts led by Linda Pumphrey.
We will meet in Richmond, Indiana at the Olde Richmond Inn (138 South
5th Street; phone 765-962-2247) on Sunday, March 11th, 2006 reservations
at 11:30 am. I can speak from experience the food there is fantastic!
Come hungry and bring your two-color quilts, tops, blocks, etc to share.
Hope to see you then!
Lisa Portwood |
