Diamond and Square Pattern Quilt c. 1940

This Diamond and Square Pattern Quilt was made by an anonymous artist with fabric. Looking at the way these shapes are pieced together, I can’t help but think about process. It’s like the artist began with an idea, but also allowed the materials to speak, to lead. There’s something so intuitive about the color choices here – the interplay of that red diamond against the purple square, the green border accentuating both. I’m drawn to the texture of the fabric, how the slight variations in the weave catch the light. It gives the quilt a palpable warmth. That olive-green border, framing the central square, is such a crucial element, it’s like the artist is holding space for something vibrant to emerge. This reminds me of the work of Gee’s Bend quilters, where tradition meets a radical kind of improvisation. Ultimately, this quilt is a testament to the power of art to embrace ambiguity and the multiple stories it holds.