Pictured above: The “Quilts during the age of expansion” section shows works created in the wake of the Civil War.
Courtesy of Aubrey Carr | The Crow’s Nest
By Aubrey Carr
When one thinks of fine art, quilts are probably not the first to come to mind.
The team behind “Pieced & Patterned: American Quilts c. 1800-1930” are determined to change views surrounding the classic creative endeavor.
The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg’s (MFA) latest exhibition is a first of its kind: a history of the American home life told entirely through quilted textiles.
The exhibit displays more than 30 privately owned quilts, each telling stories of family, wealth, politics and more. The MFA prompts visitors to view the quilts as art by installing the creations on custom-made slant boards, making the quilts resemble paintings on canvas.
MFA Senior Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Stanton Thomas stressed that these works of art are more than mere crafts, but rather complex displays of livelihood.
Small details within the pieces depict deeply personal characteristics of their makers. A stitched eagle could mean political affiliation, intricacy could constitute educational level and fabric quality could render financial standing.
“So much of what you see here represents wealth and industry,” Thomas said.
The quilts portray more than just scraps of fabric, instead presenting a view of life during the 18th to 19th centuries.
Assistant Curator Erin Wilson said the quilts “reflect so much unwritten history of the United States.”
Both Thomas and Wilson highlighted the feminist nature of the exhibit, stating the art was an outlet for women to rebel against societal standards. Through quilting, they say, women had an opportunity to illustrate their talents and beliefs in a male-dominated world.
The quilts are “a work of expression in a time when there may have been none,” Wilson said.
A quote from an unknown author adorns the first wall of the gallery, emphasizing the sentiment, “Many housekeepers, weighted down with their endless round of household work and vulgar cares, were born with souls of artists or poets, and being allowed no other opportunity, this taste expressed itself in patchwork.”
Visitors to the MFA have the opportunity to explore five different rooms, each displaying quilts from various stylistic periods. The displays range from simple works of early America to the Japanese-inspired ‘crazy quilts of the late 1880s to the more modern techniques seen during the Great Depression.
“Pieced & Patterned: American Quilts c. 1800–1930” runs from Sept. 18 through Jan. 23, 2022. The exhibit is open during the museum’s regular visiting hours and is included with the regular price of admission.
The MFA is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m., to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Tickets are $15 with a valid student ID and can be purchased on the MFA’s website.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the MFA café and store are closed until further notice. Visitors are required to wear masks at all times.
“Feminist”? Nothing feminist in these accomplishments. These were crafted by actual women, proud homemakers and caretakers of loved ones.