Quilting is quintessential Americana. Bright intricate quilts hang in country stores next to apple pie scented candles representing what many view as distinctly White American culture. But quilting is much more than that. It has been around for thousands of years. The first discovery of the quilting technique was discovered in Africa. Many people around the world have adapted quilting into their culture and use it to tell beautiful stories.
African-American quilting came into the limelight again recently with reveal of Michelle Obama’s portrait. The striking dress she wore was an inspiration to the painter because it reminded her of ‘Story Quilts’ made by the renowned Black women quilters in Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Bright colorful patterns and shapes like these were used to communicate during slavery and offer clues to The Underground Railroad.
A local woman has also made history with her quilting. Tina Williams Brewer has been creating works of textile art for decades. Her work brings to life the stories of African- Americans and their African Ancestors. She weaves images about culture, racism, love and life. You can find her work in museums across the country, in Harrisburg and in US Embassies. A few of the stories in her quilts were no doubt inspired by her husband John Brewer, a well-known keeper of Pittsburgh’s Black History. Sadly while writing this post I found out John passed away this week. He and his wife are Black Pittsburgh icons. He will be missed and I offer my deepest sympathies to Tina and her family.