Tuesday, May 25, 2010

2010 Quilt Festival Entry

I thought long and hard about what quilt I wanted to showcase for the Festival. My favorite quilt is usually the one I'm working on, but this is about more than favorites. This series of quilts is probably the most meaningful I've made in my short quilting career. Each one speaks to my commitment to pacifism, the reality and necessity of war, the dignity of service, how men and women are changed by war, and how people can make a difference even in the worst situations.

This series began with a challenge called the 'Illuminated Phrase.' We were challenged to make a piece in our medium of choice that illuminated a phrase of our choice. I chose a quote by John F. Kennedy. I was inspired not only by the quote, but by the Alexander Henry fabric that appears in all three quilts. This is 'Building Peace.'

'Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. And however undramatic the pursuit of peace, the pursuit must go on.' John F. Kennedy Jr.
'Healing' was inspired by my brother-in-law who served two tours as a surgeon in Iraq. He was in the first wave that went into Baghdad. His job including patching up both American and Iraqis. I'll never forget him telling me how difficult it was to save the life of someone he knew was pure evil. Healing speaks to healing not only the body, but the soul.
'Coming Home' was inspired by a conversation that I had with a good friend of mine whose son had just returned from a tour in Iraq. That conversation is burned in my mind....the conflict evident in her face. Her joy that he was home and her fear for how his experiences had affected him and would ultimately change him.
These aren't typical quilts for me, but each quilt seemed to flow from this series of experiences and encounters. They'll always have a special place in my home.





45 comments:

Eleanor said...

Those are gorgeous. And the meanings (though obviously very personal to you) are very touching. Great work!

Cheers,
Eleanor
www.unfamiliarceiling.com

Live a Colorful Life said...

What a wonderful series of quilts, Jacquie. Very meaningful.

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

How meaningful and beautiful...I'm in tears.

Lesly said...

beautiful and evocative. Thanks for sharing the back story.

Allie said...

Your quilts are all beautiful. I love hearing the stories behind these tow. Thanks for sharing with us.

Marika said...

Very beautiful quilt work !

Alisa said...

Beautiful work. Simply stunning. Thank you for your honesty.

Carol said...

very thoughtful and striking series.

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Wow, those quilts are beautiful and meaningful too. I love the simplicity of the black white and red and the crosses and hands. Really amazing.

alex said...

I love this. I'm a military wife and I very angry than people seem to forget we've been at war for 9 years. I admire your style for being clean, direct, and striking. (I can't stand the "fiber vomit" quilts that are overworked and unfocused.)

Not to be pushy, but you might enjoy my work. It's 90% military themed fiber art.

Sharon said...

Perfect choice, what a great post today! Thanks for sharing the "behind the scenes" on these pieces.

Brooke said...

Thank you for sharing these with us. It's amazing to me that you were able to take those pieces of inspiration and translate them so eloquently into these quilts.

Janet said...

I love how you have tried to express your thoughts and feelings on the subject in fabric. Your quilts are powerful voices.

Trudi said...

Such beautiful quilts that speak volumes! We are all changed by the experience, no matter what perspective we experience it from. Thanks you for sharing such personal pieces. :)

Molly said...

I love that you made this quilts with such meaning. I feel for your friend and her son. Very thoughtful ....

Unknown said...

Jacquie!
What a wonderful and meaningful guilt and story!!! AWESOME! and in my favorite color combination; black/red/white...

love it!

Pam

A.S.K.-P. said...

WOW! What emotional & amazing quilts!

PioneerValleyGirl said...

This is a powerful series - I'm glad I got to see it, and hear a bit of the stories behind them. Wishing peace, healing and homecoming to all who are or have been caught up in war.

Unknown said...

Beautiful.....each and every one.

mary said...

These are wonderful quilts. Nice work.

elle said...

Very representational. Great job!

Kim said...

A very moving post. Thank you.

Q @ JAQS said...

Beautiful and meaningful :).

stitchinpenny said...

The starkness of each quilt allows me to move into the meaning without distraction.

Poppyprint said...

Thank you for sharing these very unique quilts with us again Jacquie.

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

Totally awesome quilt!! Just amazing and so inspiring.

pklaw said...

Thank you for sharing, Jacquie.

O'Quilts said...

quilts with meaning are the best. Good job

Barb said...

very interesting quilts - wonderful interpretations of a difficult theme. I love them, thanks for sharing such a personal journey

Lisa said...

very powerful!!!

Amber said...

These are amazing Jacquie - the stories behind them make them so powerful - thanks for sharing them all!!

Allie said...

Very unique and meaningful - I love them.

Trisha said...

I love these quilts and the stories behind them. And I love that I got to see them in person. :)

Tonya said...

They are breath taking! Thank you for sharing them.

monique said...

Thank you for sharing. You've made me stop and think. Words and art like yours help make our world a better place.

Marit said...

Very strong, graphic expressions, Jacquie! Thank you for sharing the story. These quilts makes me think of how quilters have expressed political views in earlier days. Quilts can be a medium for many expressions, some very obvious, some more hidden. I think your series of three are both interesting visually and on a deeper level!

paisley and lace said...

Wow. The quilt evokes powerful emotions. So dramatic and lovely. The stories behind the quilts make them a precious work of art.

grendelskin said...

I think these are my favorites of all your work so far, thanks for sharing them again.

I never wanted a boychild because I didn't want to see him sent off to war. I know that sounds silly but it really was the first thing that went through my mind when the ultrasound pointed South and confirmed the gender. I have "one of each" and although I worry about both of my kids the worry is quite different for the boychild and it's entirely due to this thing we call war.

Thanks for your beautiful and powerful work, Jacquie.

linda said...

women have long created quilts on political issues, way to keep up the tradition. i'm glad we still have the freedom to do it, thanks to the people that make the sacrifices for our so we can have our freedom.

jen said...

Funny. I wonder how the Iraqi soldier felt about being stitched up by someone he considered, "pure evil".

Tacey Burnham said...

Your quilts truly moved me. I felt the power of your beliefs coming through in each one. How wonderful that quilting has allowed you to express yourself in a way that feeds not only the mind, but also the universal need we all have for beauty.
Your work continues to inspire me.

debbi d-w said...

beautiful in both spirit and form.

Miri said...

Fantastic series of quilt. These are serious ideas wonderfully stated in cloth and thread.

annette said...

WOW! Stunning. Each speaks so loudly what they stand for.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

So wonderful. Thanks for sharing Jacquie.