Tom’s Quilt. Jean Ray Laury. Clovis, California. 1956. Private collection
August 4-October 28, 2012
Organized especially for the Whatcom Museum, American Quilts: The Democratic Art is the first exhibition to tell the whole story of American quilts and quiltmakers, providing a visually compelling, in-depth study of the art, history, and cultural importance of American quilts, from their European origins to the present day.
Based on Robert Shaw’s definitive 2009 book “American Quilts: The Democratic Art 1780-2007,” the exhibition offers a stunning array of thirty quilt masterpieces spanning the entire history of American quiltmaking. It is co-curated by Shaw and fellow quilt expert, author and curator Julie Silber.
Exploring the great visual and cultural diversity of American quilts, the show includes prime examples from a variety of regional quiltmaking traditions as well as outstanding works by Amish, Hawaiian, African-American, and Native American quiltmakers.
Accessible to anyone who can sew, quilts and quiltmaking have been a major form of expression for American women — as well as some men — and an important part of this country’s cultural landscape since the late 1700s. The best quilts also are significant works of art.
Lanterns.
Vanella Tyler.
Fresno, California. c. 1965.
Collection of Eli Leon.
Iris Garland.
Designed by Hannah Lee Headlee.
Topeka, Kansas. c. 1935-40.
Collection of the Kansas State Historical Society.
New York Beauty.
The Volckening Collection
Layered Fans.
New York City. c. 1920. Collection of Laura Fisher/Fisher Heritage
One Patch.
Found in Michigan. c. 1875-1900.
Private collection
https://www.whatcommuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/assets-navbar-logo-300x101.png00Christina Claassenhttps://www.whatcommuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/assets-navbar-logo-300x101.pngChristina Claassen2012-08-07 04:13:262022-02-28 10:39:22American Quilts: The Democratic Art
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