Quilt Nihon 11th Biennial Exhibition, Japan

Voices of Africa                  

My quilt, Voices of Africa, has been selected for exhibition at  the 11th Biennial Quilt Nihon Exhibition in Japan. This quilt depicts abstract  images of  women from Africa. Their strength and resiliency is symbolized by their structures that are stitched in metal. It takes a backbone of metal to walk with courage and strength; and to raise the voices of African women.

http://www.jhia.org/english/

                               Voices of Africa 173cm x 165cm

                               Voices of Africa   (Detail)

Exhibition:

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum 

 April 1-6, 2012

Quilt Challenge on Women, Peace and Security

Quilt Challenge on Women, Peace and Security

“Kamuingi Koyaga Ndiri” – Together, We Can

February 21, 2011

This quilt depicts images of five women carrying a heavy load on their heads. Their mental and physical strength and resiliency are symbolized by their heads made of metal. The heavy weight of their load is symbolized by the basket made of steel. The hopes and success of this heavy lifting is symbolized by the fruits (of their labor) sprouting from the basket. It takes courage and strength to put a heavy load on the head and still walk tall.

The heads of the five women on the quilt represent the five continents; the universality of the mission of the women of the world in search of peace and security. As we redefine our concepts of the boundaries of our communities, and share responsibility for one another, we will discover that working together towards peace and security is one of the foundations for both our individual and collective response.

“Kamuingi Koyaga Ndiri” is a proverb from the Kikuyu people of Kenya which means together we can.