February 1 - March 20, 2005
Central Library, Lobby Gallery

Artist Statement

"My main purpose in quiltmaking is to revive and maintain an interest in the art form. I wish to relate the important cultural and historical legacy of southern African American women. Traditional quilt themes included "Housetops," "Pig-Pens," "Half-Log Cabins," "Lazy Gal” and "Cattle Guard." The earliest forms were String/Diamond quilts made by slave women who used small pieces of strings and other remnants leftover from making the "master's" clothes and quilts to construct their own quilts. The diamond shapes represent birth, life, death and rebirth."

"The quilts also reflect the role of sympathetic white Americans in the pre-Civil war era. Hidden messages to slaves attempting to escape north to freedom were encoded in quilt symbols. “Log Cabin” quilts indicated a safe house for escaped slaves to hide in. “The Turn-Dash” symbolized a wagon available for transport to the next safe escape route. Additionally, my collection includes depictions of African and Native American mythological symbols and creatures."

-- Edward M. Bostick