Crafted Lives: Stories and Studies of African American Quilters

by Patricia A. Turner, Kyra E. Hicks (Foreword)

In Crafted Stories and Studies of African American Quilters Patricia A. Turner explores the culture and recent history of African Americans through the creations and wisdom of nine quilters. Turner profiles quilters who exemplify the range of black women and men dedicated to the making of quilts, and she shows how their craftwork establishes order and meaning in their lives. The artisans comprise eight women and one man, ranging from teenagers to octogenarians, representing an array of education and income levels, and living across the United States, including Alaska. Turner also probes the ways in which African American quilts and quilters have been depicted, discussed, criticized, and characterized. From the displays of Harriet Powers's creations at the turn of the twentieth century to the contemporary exhibits of such black art-quilts as those promoted by Carolyn Mazloomi, and such utilitarian expressions as the celebrated examples from Gee's Bend, Alabama, Turner uses quilts to assess the level of control African Americans have had or have not had over the materials they craft and the art they leave as legacy to new generations.

Genres: History, Quilting, African American

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I held onto this book for so long the library locked my account at one point and I had to return it for a month but I have finished it!! I learned so much!!! the profiles of quilters in the first half were great, and the second half had so much interesting stuff going on—quilts represented in literature, scholarly debate around Underground Railroad quilts and the legitimacy of the work around that, art vs craft, the Gee’s Bend exhibition and the general failure of the art world to provide fair compensation for the quilters. sometimes the structure in part two seemed a little arbitrary and made it confusing, but ultimately all fascinating. The author’s personal connections made it easier to get into academic writing too

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to give it a 3.5. A fairly straightforward study of African American quilting. The first half is profiles of quilters. The second half really has two threads: were there quilt codes on the Underground Railroad? (Probably not) and the celebrity of the Gees Bend quilters. The first question is really compelling and I would have read a whole book about that.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This exploration of modern African-American quilting and the traditional roots and contemporary expressions of the fabric, color, and patterns was interesting. I learned a thing or two about the cultural expressions of a practical handiwork and form of textile arts-- in which, of course, I am engaged. Other books about African-American textile arts are deeper and more historical, but only this one visits current African-American quilters expressing their culture through their work. Enjoyed this book, but it is specific to this art.

[Kyra E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Dr. Turner. Wonderful to read the various interviews of a variety of quilters - including Black quilters in Alaska!