Quilting: It’s a matter of African-American tradition
Samuel W. Black noted that some people don’t think quilts should hang in a museum. In their minds, he pointed out, quilts are still functional pieces for the home.
But they are actually much more.
“There’s something about a quilt that’s unique,’ said Black, curator of African-American collections at the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. “Quilts being made today are like works of art.’
With this in mind, the history center is presenting “Bold Improvisation: 120 Years of African- American Quilts’ in conjunction with Black History Month. The Pittsburgh-based museum will operate the show through March 9 at its Strip District location.
Black, who is curator of this show, said the main exhibit features 38 quilts from around the country and four African textile pieces that come from the collection of Pittsburgh native Scott Heffley, who is now a museum professional from Kansas City, Mo.
In addition, there is a local component made of 20 quilts from western Pennsylvania artists, mostly from Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.
Heffley’s quilts date back to the late 1880s through the 1980s, showing the changes in textiles and designs through the years.
“It’s a very good collection of work. In my opinion, his collection really opens the door for someone who is not culturally knowledgeable about quilt work,’ said Black.
That includes facets that are particular to African-American textile work, such as patterns.
“For example, African-American quilts are more improvisational,’ said Black.
“It’s like jazz. They may take a particular pattern, such as the hour glass, and African-American quilters will do something different.’
But Black backs away from more specific comparisons.
He said, “I think that African-American quilt work can really stand alone, and does not need to be compared.’
The work by the 20 western Pennsylvania artists is more contemporary, ranging from the 1980s to last November.
“These pieces illustrate more individual creativity,’ said Black. “Seventeen of them are more decorative wall hangings. Three were utilitarian quilts.’
The local quilters include Vivian Benton, a Louisiana native who moved to Pittsburgh in 1968, and began quilting in 1992. She joined the African-American Heritage Quilters Guild, Quilt Company East and Uncommon Threads.
Benton is regional coordinator for the National Quilting Association and is publications chair and editor of the association’s Quilting Quarterly magazine.
Firdausi Bey, of Beltzhoover, worked in Pittsburgh’s steel mills and now preserves quilts made by his great-grandmother Katie Louise Buggs Abernathy. She was born in Mississippi but migrated to Indiana and taught her daughters and granddaughters how to sew and quilt.
Willamae Frazier, born in West Leechburg, Pa., and along with her 10 sisters, was taught to make quilts by their mother Lillian Carter who was born in Virginia in the 1890s. Their mother shared the hidden meaning of some traditional quilt patterns with her children and passed on the importance of the patterns to African Americans and the importance of the quilting craft as well.
Quilting is indeed a social commentary, reflective of the times, Black noted.
He said that quilts made in the 1880s were close in time to slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction. Today, generations of people know about those struggles, but they have also been influenced by jazz, rock’n roll and fine arts.
“They have an understanding of the African-American heritage. All that has an effect, a different impact,’ Black said.
Visitors to the show should look at the creativity of the quilters, said Black. Try to figure out why the quilter used a particular design. If the quilter is unknown, try to figure out who the person was.
“It’s a fun way to travel back in history through a cultural medium and come away with a real appreciation of African-American quilt work,’ Black said.
Andy Masich, president/CEO of the history center, stated in a press release about the show, “Quilts reveal cultural and family traditions and give us a personal link to important periods in American history. Through these quilts, by visually dissecting the patterns and fibers, we can gather uniquely personal insights into the quilters’ lives and times.’
–
The Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is located at 1212 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $6 for adults, $3 for ages 6 to 18, and $4.50 for seniors age 62 and older and students with valid ID. Admission is free to children age 5 and under and history center members. Parking is available, with validation, up to four hours in the 11th and Smallman streets parking lot for $3. For more information, visit www.pghhistory.org
or call 412-454-6000.