Star & Ring Quilt c. 1938

This is Manuel Runyan's Star & Ring Quilt. We don't know when it was made or exactly with what materials, but it's a real eye-catcher. The whole composition is about process, the way the star and ring are built up piece by piece. Up close, you can see the texture of the quilt. It looks like Runyan painstakingly worked each section. Red and white alternate, like a visual rhythm, creating movement. There's something about that central star, though. It feels a bit off-center, like a wonky heart. The quilting lines swirl around it, a little chaotic, adding to that feeling. This focus on geometric shapes calls to mind the work of Gee's Bend quilters. Like them, Runyan embraces imperfection. This quilt isn't just a thing, it's a conversation with color, shape, and the joy of making.