Applique Quilt c. 1937

Suzanne Roy, who lived from 1855 to 1995, made this quilt. The floral and plant motifs float across a light ground, with accents in greens, pinks, and yellows. The whole thing is bordered by this sort of looping pink trim, like a party decoration made from paper. Thinking about the process of quilt-making, it's a world away from throwing paint at a canvas. The focus is on building up these small, precise shapes and patterns. But it’s not so different – the piecing together of different forms and colors – line, shape, and color are the name of the game in quiltmaking too. Take a look at one of the blocks in the lower left. It has these little red birds in a wreath – they are so charming, with an almost cartoonish simplicity, which contrasts with the intricacy of the rest of the design. I'm reminded of the work of contemporary artists like Faith Ringgold, who also uses the form of the quilt to tell stories and explore personal and political themes. Art is always a conversation. There are many different ways of seeing, making, and experiencing the world.