Quilt Show Review

Harlem Sewn Up II
Quilted Reflections of a Community
A Review

Harlem Sewn Up began at the Dwyer Cultural Center with curator and quilt artist Laura R. Gadson. This exhibit’s iteration is now on view at The Interchurch Center;475 Riverside Drive;Manhattan; February 22-March 26,2010. The Treasure Room Gallery is curated by Frank DeGregorio. At the Opening on March 3, 2010 it was a pleasant surprise to see seventeen large and small hangings showing a variety of quilting techniques.

Thanks to the Michael K. Unthank and V. Olivia Smashurn collection two large complex hangings by Michael Cummings can be studied by budding art quilters.
Storyteller and Kitty Fireflies in the Bush both tell a story. It is a narrative of irregular, satin stitched, unpredictable shapes with vibrant, contrasting patterns and colors.

Ife Felix is a nontraditional graphic artist whose five works display a freedom of thought and design. Dance Class at the Harlem Y is a scene in a room full of small figures in mid dance step. Sometimes Ife Felix mounts multiple completed pieced blocks on golden poles forming an angled geometric shape.

Wisdom Seeker, Sun Song I and II by Adriene Cruz speak to the sun in warm glowing quasi rectangular shapes awash in a family of reds.

One visitor to the Opening remarked that Myrah Brown Green’s work is her favorite because “it is quiet, elegant and alluring.” Snake Dance is constructed with vertical panels of varied widths, 46 X 42. One panel has a gaggle of appliquéd snakelike shapes with bright eyes. The other panels show neat quilting stitches of spirals and undulations. Ogun was Here and Mother Spirit demonstrate strip-pieced blocks as a central statement surrounded by a complementary border. The circular quilting is outstanding.

Another visitor explained to me that “the painted, crumpled face and those eyes were immediately recognizable as Charlie Parker.” The 60 X 44 wall hanging by Dindga McCannon is entitled Charlie Parker Played Harlem. Out of his saxophone pours an abstract shape of texture and color: his music.

Anna Alvarez continues the music theme with Azucar . This is a figurative display of musical instruments: a giant guitar, a bongo and a saxophone dominate. A glittering script of names such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz surround.
Pat Mabry’s African Square -125 shows more traditional pieced blocks varied by color.
The massive SPEAK OUT 100 X 90 is a group effort from Harlem Girls Quilting Circle. It is perfect for this exhibit as it depicts the people, places, health, high times and history of community.

Gallery hours
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm