Quilts are a democratic art. They provide a window into the lives of the many people who have made and used textiles, across geographic, political, social and economic contexts. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories showcases 46 remarkable textiles by a variety of individuals—male and female, known and unidentified artists, urban and rural makers, immigrants, and Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and LGBTQ+ Americans. The exhibition explores how the quilt, which is often seen today as a timeless, quintessentially “American” art form, has in fact continuously evolved, shaped by a broadly underrecognized diversity of artistic hands and minds. Dating from the 17th century to the present day, the masterpieces on view reveal a rich—and richly complicated—story of the nation’s shared history, contributing to the evolving conversation about what defines the American experience.
Image: Bisa Butler (American, b. 1973), To God and Truth, 2019, printed and resist‑dyed cottons, cotton velvet, rayon satin, and knotted string, pieced, appliquéd, and quilted, John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, The Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection, and Arthur Mason Knapp Fund, © Bisa Butler. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
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