Block from Bedspread c. 1937

This work, "Block from Bedspread", was made by Barnes, most likely in the late 20th century. It is a painted rendering of a quilt block. The artist has adopted the imagery, if not the process, of quiltmaking. Instead of cutting and sewing fabric, here the artist has used paint to represent the colors, patterns, and textures of the bedspread. Barnes has emphasized the geometry, rather than the softness, of the original textile. In particular, the dimensionality of the ruffled edging is rendered in a very graphic way. The image may not be an actual design for a quilt but instead an imaginative riff on the process. The result is a composition that celebrates both the formal abstraction and the labor-intensive nature of textile work. It prompts us to consider the cultural significance embedded in these everyday objects and practices. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.