Quilts: Flora Botanica

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Quilts: Flora Botanica
Quilts: Flora Botanica
Barbara Brackman, curator
Susan Earle, curator
Kress Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Floral images have been among the most popular with America's quiltmakers. This view of approximately 30 quilts from the collection considers the sources for many of the classic patchwork designs. Rather than drawing from nature, quiltmakers drew from traditions of fine and folk arts. Using other objects from the museum collection, the exhibition frames the artistic and cultural context in which the quilts were made, with references to Indian and Germanic folk arts, politics and popular culture.

Two particularly important quilts with the three-dimensional embroidery known as “stump work” will be on display. The exhibition will also focus on the concept of a teaching art museum providing inspiration using six contemporary copies of the antique quilts stitched by local artists from the Kaw Valley Quilter’s Guild. A pair of quilts, one from 1850 and one from 1930, will showcase master-quiltmaker Rose Kretsinger's use of the museum's quilt collection in the early 20th century.

This exhibition is organized for the Spencer Museum by Barbara Brackman, internationally known textiles expert and our honorary curator of quilts, in collaboration with Susan Earle, curator of European and American art.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Rena Coon Thomas, Rose of Sharon quilt
Rena Coon Thomas
1860
Grandmother of Willis C. McEntarfer (died circa 1865–1875), North Carolina Lily quilt
Grandmother of Willis C. McEntarfer (died circa 1865–1875)
circa 1840–1860
Julia Ann Chalmers (1821–1904), Sunburst quilt, or Sunflower quilt
Julia Ann Chalmers (1821–1904)
circa 1850
Mary Ann Seeling Kile Elliot (1831–1915), Princess Feather quilt
Mary Ann Seeling Kile Elliot (1831–1915)
circa 1840–1950
Martha Biggers Burn, Rose and Bud quilt
Martha Biggers Burn
circa 1840–1870
Crazy quilt
circa 1880–1900
Olive Batchelor Wells (1822–1893), Garden of Eden quilt
Olive Batchelor Wells (1822–1893)
circa 1840–1860
Catherine Grabill Landis, Windmill quilt
Catherine Grabill Landis
circa 1840–1860
Gail Stewart, Goose Tracks quilt
Gail Stewart
2007
Georganna Clark, Princess Feather quilt
Georganna Clark
2007
Doris Lux, Flower Pot quilt
Doris Lux
2007
Julie McEathron, Star and Crescent quilt
Julie McEathron
2007
Margaret Cane, Sugar Bowl quilt, or Basket quilt, or Pineapple quilt
Margaret Cane
circa 1850, quilted in 1867
millefleur necklace
late 20th century
millefleur paperweight
late 20th century

Events

July 13, 2008
Workshop
2:00–4:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
July 19, 2008
Workshop
10:30AM–12:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
July 19, 2008
Workshop
1:30–3:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
July 20, 2008
Talk
2:00–3:30PM
Gallery 407
July 27, 2008
Workshop
2:00–4:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
August 3, 2008
Workshop
2:00–4:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
August 10, 2008
Workshop
2:00–4:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
August 17, 2008
Workshop
2:00–4:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
September 11, 2008
Talk
5:30–6:30PM
Gallery 407
October 4, 2008
Workshop
10:30AM–12:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
October 4, 2008
Workshop
1:30–3:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court

Resources

Audio

Didactic – Art Minute
Didactic – Art Minute
Episode 151 Jul-2008 I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. A current Spencer exhibition features nearly 30 quilts from the museum’s collection, ranging in date from the late 18th century to the recent past. Entitled Quilts: Flora Botanica, the exhibition highlights floral images, which have long been among the most popular with American quiltmakers. Rather than drawing directly from their gardens, most quiltmakers drew from centuries of folk art traditions. The abstractions we see as fruits and flowers can be traced to many cultures on many continents, including Greek mythology, the Bible, and Islamic, Indian, and Persian traditions. The Spencer exhibition examines sources and symbolism in floral pattern from various perspectives. The exhibition also demonstrates the value of the museum as a teaching resource by displaying five contemporary mini quilts based on old patterns in the Spencer collection, stitched by local members of the Kaw Valley Quilter’s Guild. The exhibition is organized by Barbara Brackman, internationally known textiles expert and honorary Spencer curator of quilts, and accompanied by a brochure with a glossary of quilting terms and directions and patterns for making your own quilt. From the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.

Documents