Patchwork Quilt 1935 - 1942

Florence Truelson stitched this Patchwork Quilt with fabric and thread, sometime before her death in 1959. The materials are humble, but the labor is evident. The rich red ground, embellished with delicate embroidery, shows the qualities of substance, texture, and color brought out by the artist's hand. Each stitch is a testament to Truelson's skill and patience. The owls perched on a branch and the personalized inscription, likely commemorate a loved one, but it also speaks volumes about the broader culture of making to which this piece belongs. Quilting was then, as now, a communal activity, a way of sharing stories and skills, passing down traditions, and perhaps making pointed expressions of political belief. This quilt is a reminder that the most profound art can emerge from the everyday, challenging our notions of high art and craft.