Quilt Applique 1935 - 1942

Curator: This work is titled "Quilt Applique," created by Mildred E. Bent sometime between 1935 and 1942. The media involves mixed methods including textile. Editor: At first glance, this textile gives off such a charming folksy presence. There’s something deeply familiar about the patterns. Curator: Precisely. Its strength lies in the repetition of geometric forms, and in the interplay between the positive and negative space. See how the star motifs both stand out and recede into the overall design? Editor: Those stars, those repeated five-pointed stars, hold considerable weight in American symbolism. Consider how the star quilt, common within numerous communities, embodies concepts of guidance, destiny, or safe harbor. And those floral details in the ground... Curator: Yes, there’s a lovely contrast created between those organic shapes and more rigidly geometric figures. Notice, too, how Bent has modulated color saturation, to advance certain visual components and soften others. Editor: It evokes cultural memory as well, possibly related to ideas of home and belonging. Are there elements within this textile we should be mindful of within this textile design, or in the life of its maker? Curator: From a formal perspective, what I appreciate is the subtle discordance within the grid, because it stops the regularity from becoming boring and lifeless. This generates a dynamic and vibrant quality. Editor: The red hues further enhance its patriotic echoes. Perhaps it's related to family histories. Curator: Ultimately, though, regardless of its thematic content, this is above all else, a wonderfully balanced composition with careful handling of visual syntax. Editor: It gives one pause to reflect upon themes of resilience. I find the simplicity moving.