When the last issue of Quilter’s Home magazine was published, it was wrapped in a cellophane bag. Supposedly, the contents were just too “hot” for children to accidentally view, while their mothers were busily shopping at JoAnn Fabrics. In fact, that store decided not to carry that particular issue at all, although they have offered the magazine in the past, and conceivably may do so again in the future.
Not finding this title to buy, locally, when it first came out, we traveled from the central part of our state to its southern edge to a Barnes & Noble store. The check out person was intrigued when I pointed out the headline banner: “Shocking Quilts: We Show You The Controversial Patchwork!” He said that he would have to pick up a copy on his break.
THE IMAGES IN QUESTION
First, we saw a blue and white quilt by Mary Beth Bellah called “Helping Hand,” inspired by a Viagra commercial and including (but not prominently) a limited edition fabric that features male organs, a view so tiny that I missed it the first ten times I looked at this article, even with magnification. The thought is perversely amusing! In fact, not finding it, I thought that perhaps this “special feature” was quilted into the plain white fabric. No matter. The quilt was nicely done, but is one I simply would have walked past, in any show, as I do with any quilt that I need a written explanation to understand.
Next, we have a gun-toting Jesus in “Jesus Get Your Gun” by Shawn Quinlan. I did not recognize Him because the “halo” could just as well have served as the rim of a cowboy hat. The quilt itself is very well done, from a technical standpoint, as are all of the quilts and was inspired by the words of a bumper sticker. I took no offense. In fact, given what a PBS show had to say about the genetic background of Jesus, it is easier to imagine Him as having looked more like Yassir Arafat than the commonly-accepted notion of a blonde-haired, fair-skinned, European version of Jesus that shows up in most art renderings.
There are two quilts that provoke historical memory and many people would find them offensive for their stark reality. http://www.gwenmagee.com/portfolio.htm (link disabled today). One quilt, “Southern Heritage/Southern Shame” depicts bodies hanging in front of a Confederate flag. The other quilt, “God of Our Silent Tears I” is an image of men being executed in the electric chair. Both quilts were made by the same artist, Gwendolyn Magee.
I am recalling these images, one by one, so that you will understand my concluding remarks.
So, next, we have the well-developed (back side view) of a man in Randall Cook’s quilt, “I Remain.” The lone figure appears to be the lone survivor of a nuclear holocaust. The caption reads, in part, that the quilt is “sexually charged.” If viewing any naked body is a turn on, then that description may be accurate for some people, but would not apply to many readers. Certainly, I did not interpret the quilt in that manner.
The next quilt shown is my favorite: a baby’s wide-eyed emergence into the world from a birth canal. The quilt’s title is “Uncertainty.” I don’t perceive anything nasty or evil in Gayle McKay’s quilt. It depicts a true fact of life, and hey, aren’t we all grown-ups here?
The final quilt called “The L Word” by Diane Johns was my least favorite. I’d have to stop and analyze all the elements of it, color-wise and otherwise, to tell you why I did not like it. However, my main objection is the “ugly words” all over it, pejorative euphemisms for “homosexual.” I don’t like to hear or see those downgrading words. I prefer to think that we, as human beings, are all more alike than we are different; that we all have feelings; that we all bleed when we are cut. I am sure that this quilt made me consider the pain that same-sex partners must experience when tagged with the “q” word, or the “d” word, or the other “f” word, etc. However, I did not like those words, in my face, and they seemed to be the essence of the quilt. No doubt that was the intent.
Was I truly “offended” or “outraged” by any of these quilts? No. Could I agree with one reviewer, Jeff Vrabel, that they are all “filth?” No. Only if he would agree that the statue of David is porn, or that sacred paintings that depict Baby Jesus, in His entirety, are nasty. No, these quilts are not filth. They express different life experiences, history, and perceptions, period. The human body is, in and of itself, not disgusting or evil.
The purposeless “f” word, spoken or written by teenagers in public forums all over the Internet is more offensive to me, as are the constant references to “alternative lifestyles.” Those inferences get boring, after a time. Being “gay” is no longer a gay topic, especially when one thinks of all of the problems caused by same gender activities. I don’t need to delineate the potential health problems, some of them lethal, with which gays are victimized, nor the social stigma that their status can evoke.
Stereotype of “Little Old Lady” Quilters
Would I like to see more of this kind of art quilt in any quilt magazine or show? Not necessarily. Why not? Gee whiz, I must be one of those allegedly boring, “little old lady quilters.” You know the type: one who can stand and “ooh and aah” over beautiful quilts from the past because they are well-executed, have lovely colors, and warm the soul, and sometimes the body. You know, the quilts that do not need to disturb one’s sensibilities or make social statements?
I prefer to marvel at how many (hand) stitches per inch a quilter (of old) was able to make. I love to see scrap quilts because they tell me about the fabrics the quilter had available to her at that time, and I can often identify the age of the quilt by the colors of some of those scraps. I like traditional designs, but not exclusively. Many new quilt patterns today are lovely, but are often a spin-off of traditional designs. I mean, how many times can we reinvent the wheel? The answer is thousands of times, as witnessed by the countless variations of geometric quilt designs, alone, not to mention variable appliqué motifs.
I enjoy viewing the edge treatments of quilts and seeing how the approach to finishing the edges of quilts has changed, over time. I love the HISTORY of quilts. I like ALL quilts, just as I enjoy All art, but I enjoy some quilts, and some art, more than others. Get it? Like many people, I approach this current topic of “shocking quilts” in a quilt magazine with a bit of ambivalence.
In a sense, when we look at Mark’s magazine, we are seeing a new legacy. His was the first magazine to recognize “controversial” quilts, in print, and to bring them to a wider public forum. This must encourage the quilt artists involved and all quilt artists. It is important that they continue to express themselves and quilt their own “visions.” We do not live in a monolithic world. You may like to eat Oreo cookies, while my preference may be Ginger Snaps. That does not make you wrong, and me right.
I have always said that there is room for all, especially the creative people of the world. In my opinion, this magazine situation is not a black and white one. Many middle-aged women have told me that they like this issue! I do not think it is fair to categorize the readership of this magazine as for “young people” only. It may come as a great surprise to Mark that even very old people in nursing homes still kid around about sex, and/or show an interest, some actively! I could explain even further, but I will refrain!
This landmark issue of Quilter’s Home magazine presents art quilts that deal with tough subject matter. With all the stir and buzz about them, and the interviews and attention that Mark has gained from newspapers and talk show hosts, one wonders what the contents of the next issue will be. It is worth noting that good art work, rendered in whatever format, makes all of us think.
Good luck, Mark! Thanks for providing a forum to bring art quilts to the living rooms of all, even the “little old ladies.” The world is watching what you will do next.
Thanks to all the art quilters who share their talents and their work with the public through exhibitions and online. Without them, we would not be having this discussion. They have succeeded in making us all think, and that is a good thing!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
