The exhibition 'Masters of the Stitch: Threaded Stories' showcases intricate narrative quilts by African American artists. Sharon Kerry-Harlan's meticulous work features dozens of faces, while Donna Chambers commemorates Obama's inauguration.
Curator Carolyn Mazloomi has championed quiltmaking as fine art for decades. The exhibition includes works that function as both historical archives and cultural testimony, affirming the importance of Black quilting in American art.
The 12 artists explore diverse themes, from personal memories to civil rights actions like the Freedom Train, weaving stories of family, faith, resistance, grief, and joy into their craft. The show runs until August 8 at Claire Oliver Gallery in Harlem.
SUNI also recommends Stephen Towns' quilted paintings celebrating midcentury leisure culture and Bisa Butler's vibrant stitched portraits that continue to narrate Black American experiences through fabric.
