Twelve Quilts of Christmas – #8

Cameron Art Museum Executive Director Anne Brennan writes, in relation to choosing this quilt as the anchor of the recent “The Work of Their Hands” exhibition:  “We chose the tulip quilt made 170 years ago by a now unknown, enslaved woman in North Carolina, for its direct power to connect through its beauty and strength. In her time-honored design and choice of spare colors in orange, red, green and white, the beauty and excellence of her creation convey calm and continuum. Through her masterful stitchwork, still so alive, is sewn a story of strength and perseverance of all people connected with the quilt, many rebuilding a life in the face of despair.”

While crossed tulips may be a time honoured design, the makers skillful use of colour and value placement creates an engaging composition with a secondary design of what appears to be interlocking circles. While Brennan hit on the right words of calm and continuum, it is the complexity of the design that draws me in. I could stare at this quilt for hours.  It is simply mesmerizing.