Seeing My History in the Quilts and Art in the High Museum Was Wonderful

Douglas and I went to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta on yesterday. I didn’t want to miss the two exhibitions that featured black artists and black women quilters. I had been sick a lot over the holidays, even missing the 55th high school reunion because I was on antibiotics and all of he attendees were in their 70s. We are vulnerable to viruses. So, when I saw that both of the exhibitions were leaving within the week, we hurried down there. And it was wonderful!

The art belongs to Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beats. It is on loan to museums. It was amazing and affirming to see myself in the art We are members of the High Museum of Art, because I love to go to museums. I once could remain in them for hours, but now after about two hours, my legs tell me it’s time to go. I can come back next week to continue the show. But, I want to start with the quilts, which reminded me of visiting my aunts and grandmother. As a little girl, they were just rags thrown together to create a form of heat for us, as we didn’t have heaters in our house, just the fireplace grate. With two or three quilts, or more, you were toasty warm at night.

So, to see the quilts of black women treated as art was fantastic. I stood in awe! What was awe-inspiring is that many of these quilts were sewn lovingly by hand. It was a wonderful moment to stare at the artistry of black women whose voices are often unrepresented in the museums around the world. I wish I could show it all.

The art was just as awe-inspiring.

It was a great day, and as I spoke to other black women in remembering our history, we marveled at the recognition that our art is worthy to be seen and celebrated. Our lives are stories of endurance, survival, and the love of the Lord. Alicia Keys’ saying best sums it up.

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