Illustration: Harriet Powers. Bible Quilt, 1886.
This is the centenary year of the death of Harriet Powers, probably one of the most prominent of Southern nineteenth century quilters. There are only two acknowledged Powers quilts popularly known to exist, though there could well be at least one more in existence, possibly even more, either not having been identified or privately and unknowingly part of a collection. Either way, the two that are known, the Bible and Pictorial quilt both shown in this article, are excellent examples of Southern quilting from the nineteenth century.
Powers was born a slave in Georgia in 1837 and so spent nearly the first three decades of her life as the sole property of an individual. It is perhaps difficult for us to comprehend the idea that a human can be both the legal property and possession of another. However, what is truly remarkable is the number of individuals such as Powers, who although born into forced indenture, were still able to carve an independent life for themselves after slavery had been abolished. It is this particular generation that had been born into slavery that is the most inspirational. Although generations of African American slaves were denied access to any creative outlet, the inbuilt human desire for creativity and the outward expression of the imagination can never be subsumed or denied entirely.
Illustration: Harriet Powers, 1897.
It is unknown how Powers early life truly affected her and how those years coloured the rest of her life. That they must have been incorporated within her creative work, is a point that should always be a consideration when viewing her work. The two quilts shown here are pictorial in essence and is a clear indication showing that at least a certain element of African inspired creativity had managed to both pass down the generations and indeed outlast slavery itself. Powers work is clear and concise in composition and the narrative is both powerful and spiritual in context. There would have been no ambiguity concerning the pictorial aspects of her quilts for the generation they were made for, although today some of the compositions are less clear to a modern audience.
Whether the imagery produced by Powers is understood fully or not, it cannot be denied that the artist produced a strong and forcefully effective spiritual and magical tone to her work. Powers work should never be seen as simple or folksy, these are images that are fundamental to human history whether in Africa or America. They tap into the inbuilt spirituality of humans from the earliest of times, and while we may not fully understand why we are drawn to the defined imagery of Powers creative work, we are drawn nonetheless.
Illustration: Harriet Powers. Pictorial Quilt, 1898.
There are a number of celebrations and exhibitions drawing attention to the work and life of Harriet Powers. One of the most comprehensive is that of Hands That Can Do: African American Quilters of Northeast Georgia. This exhibition which runs from 5 October 2010 until 19 January 2011 at the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, Georgia, has at its core a number of discussions that include the work of Powers, the quilt traditions of African Americans along with the textile traditions and connections with West Africa. A special guest will be the author Kyra Hicks who wrote the influential and fascinating, This I accomplish: Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt and Other Pieces. Links to the exhibition and Hicks books can be seen in the reference links section below.
That Powers was a strong, intelligent and intuitive creative artist who had the imagination, spiritual depth and understanding to both inform and expand our own imaginations, is in no doubt. That she has been honoured in this her centenary year, is her just deserve.
Reference links:
Hands That Can Do: African American Quilters of Northeast Georgia exhibition
This I Accomplish: Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt and Other Pieces
1.6 Million African American Quilters: Survey, Sites, and a Half-Dozen Art Quilt Blocks
Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook
Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria
Crafted Lives: Stories and Studies of African American Quilters
Love of Liberty: The Liberian Flag Story and Quilt Pattern
