More than 30 examples of Western quilts, ranging from the early 1800s to the present day, are now on view at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. The exhibition will explore the profound artistic and cultural contributions of women in the West as they used quilts as a storytelling medium.
Quilts: Uncovering Women’s Stories will show how the quilts had a utilitarian purpose, primarily warmth, but also how they offered a form of expression that allowed women of the West to show their lives, experiences, aspirations and struggles. Quilts in the exhibition are organized into three broad themes: family, friends and personal relationships; ethnic and regional identity; and political agency and power.
Karen Colglazier and Diane Breman, Not Justa Dream, 2004, cotton, leather, wool, mother-of-pearl, pewter, brass and horsehair, 80 x 89". Loan courtesy of the artists.
“Quilts embody personal stories and symbolize community relationships. They document people, places, and events, and serve as visual records—ones created largely by women—that help us study and understand Western art, history and culture,” says Johanna M. Blume, Eiteljorg curator of Western art, history and culture. “Using quilts from throughout the American West, including Native America, this exhibit explores the diverse experiences of women in the West.”
Faye Lone (Seneca), Grand Entry, 2008, cotton fabric, cotton batting and thread, 104 x 91". Eiteljorg Museum, 2008 Indian Market & Festival Purchase Award.
The quilts are made from a diverse selection of artists, including African American, Native American, Latino American and Asian American quiltmakers. The pieces are coming from a variety of lenders, including the Autry Museum of the American West, the International Quilt Museum and the state historical museums of Alaska, Arizona, Nebraska and Washington State, among others. The exhibition gallery will include some interactive activities about quilt-making as an art form.
The exhibition continues through August 9 and features a number of educational events throughout its run in Indiana. For more information visit www.eiteljorg.org.
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