Jae Jarrell's Urban Wall Suit, ca 1969

This righteous "Urban Wall Suit" was stitched by textile artist and clothes designer Jae Jarrell ca. 1969.

According to David Lusenhop, an independent scholar who focuses on the Black Arts Movement, "This garment was exhibited in the first AfriCOBRA exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1970. Jae plays off traditions including quilting, graffiti, and high fashion... It's an important work, and represents the extension of the AfriCOBRA ideas in to the street, where one can represent in public, and not just in visual arts venues like museums and galleries."

Now my appetite is whet to learn more about Ms. Jarrell and about AfriCOBRA! Do you know much about the movement? There's a Fans of AfriCOBRA on Facebook - have a look at the nearly 100 photos. I wonder where the Urban Wall Suit is today. Do you think quilted fashions can make such a political statement today? Do tell! Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of the Azzi-Lusenhop Black Arts Movement Collection, Chicago. Thanks Mr. L!

African American Quilt and Doll Guild - October with Rachel Clark

The African American Quilt and Doll Guild in Warrensville Heights, Ohio invites you to attend the "Inspirations, Visions and Traditions" Quilt and Doll Show October 15 - 15, 2010. The guest teacher and lecturer is Rachel Clark. For more details visit the guild's website at www.aaqdg.org.

Henry Holmes: Fabric of Love - Imaginations of Portrait &Traditional Quilts in Baltimore

I'm always amazed to learn about the works of other quilters! On exhibit August 12 - 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland is "Henry Holmes: Fabric of Love - Imaginations of Portrait and Traditional Quilts." If you are nearby, visit the Creative Alliance at the Patterson. There are 24 pieces in the show. According to the promo materials:

Henry Holmes’ quilts tell stories that are at once deeply personal and speak broadly to the African American experience. Dorothy Dandridge is self-possessed and flirtatious as she smiles at you over her bare shoulder. Elsewhere, a group of plantation workers appear not as broken figures from a distant past, as the embodiment of urban cool.

Henry Holmes lives in Baltimore, but is a native of Harlem. If you can not visit the exhibit, take a moment to visit his website at HenrysArts.weebly.com or click here to see a quick 30 second video of his quilts on YouTube. Enjoy!

"20 Years of a Pieceful Passion" African American Quilters of Baltimore

If you are in the Baltimore, Maryland area, do stop by the James E. Lewis Museum of Art at Morgan State University and visit the exhibit "20 Years of a Pieceful Passion." The quilt here, Signifyin' by Barbara Pietila, is just one example of the rockin' work you'll find! The show is there from August 7 to September 30, 2010. Click here for details on the quilting workshops that will be available. Enjoy!

Which book cover would you have selected?

Thought you would get a kick out of these two images. Graphic designer Chad Snyder was responsible for the layout and cover design for my book Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria. I had three book covers to select from. Here are two of them. Which one would you have selected - the pink or the green? Enjoy!