Velvet Pieced Quilt c. 1938

Cora Parker created this ‘Velvet Pieced Quilt’ using fabric and watercolour. Imagine her building the quilt, piecing together hexagons of colour like a puzzle. I’m thinking about the handwork involved, each piece carefully chosen and stitched. It’s not just about function; it's about design, pattern, and color. Look at the way Parker plays with light and shadow using different shades. The dark outlines give definition to each shape, making them pop out against one another. I see a dialogue between control and chance in the composition, an intuitive approach of working with whatever she had. This reminds me of Gee’s Bend quilters, who also transformed humble materials into incredible works of art. Artists are always responding to each other, finding new ways to express themselves through material. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it?