Applique Quilt 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this is an Applique Quilt made sometime between 1935 and 1942. I find the delicate floral patterns so soothing, but there is also this intricate layering effect, a dense, almost overwhelming sense of abundance. What strikes you about it? Curator: I'm drawn to the politics inherent in the making of this quilt. Consider its historical context: it was created during the Depression era, likely by a woman, perhaps of color. The use of inexpensive materials, the reliance on traditional craft, speaks volumes about the lived realities of women, labor, and the domestic sphere. It represents the tension between oppressive standards of domesticity, and the empowering possibilities of expressing skill, agency and creativity through textile arts. Editor: I hadn’t considered the implications of the domestic sphere and its impact on women creating art. How might her identity as a woman have played a part in the message the quilt is sending? Curator: Well, quilts often functioned as a collaborative medium. In the past, they created a vital social network through “quilting bees”. But the solitary, repetitive nature of its making could also represent isolation. Do you think the pattern suggests more a collective effort or a form of individual resistance? Editor: Looking at it now, I think both? It is almost as if the individual and collective merge. The individual flowers contributing to an overarching statement of creativity and strength. Curator: Exactly! This resonates deeply with feminist theory which is focused on acknowledging women's labor, creativity and collective power throughout history, often obscured by patriarchal structures. We are invited to reconsider and value it. Editor: I never thought I would feel so empowered by something like this; it seems almost radical when put into context! Thanks for helping me understand. Curator: My pleasure! It’s a powerful reminder that even the most seemingly mundane objects can hold radical narratives.