African-American quilts possess two unique qualities: more than any other American visual art, they most fully realize the expressive force of jazz, and they bind together generations of African-American families who have made and cherished quilts. In Signs and Symbols, quilt expert Maude Southwell Wahlman introduces readers to a third powerful force in these quilts: their African-derived meanings, patterns, and iconography. She explores the religious, ritual, philosophical, and aesthetic beliefs that have been retained by descendants of Africans in the New World and demonstrates how these beliefs are represented in their textiles. Now back in print, Signs and Symbols remains the most complete illustrated work on this art form; featuring over 150 high-quality full-color reproductions.
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
eye-opening and wonderful,
By Meg in Madison (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Signs and Symbols: African Images in African American Quilts (2nd Edition) (Paperback)
I saw the Gee's Bend exhibit and was overwhelmed by the energy, the art, and the human story in those amazing quilts. They were so different from mainstream quilts, and I wanted to find out more about African American traditions in quilting. I stumbled over Signs & Symbols at my local library and loved it. It not only has wonderful photos of quilts, but delves into the symbols and artistic structure of the quilts and how they relate to traditional African art and symbols---with plenty of photos of African textiles, amulets, etc. I'm no expert in anthropology and ethnology, but I am familiar with academic research, and I think Wahlman has presented a wealth of fascinating and compelling evidence for the relationship.
The quilts are truly stunning, the quilting (not just the piecing) shows up well in many of the photos, and dimensions are given (which I'm delighted by---I can get a feel for the measurements of the patches and blocks). This book's quilts are informing my own quilts and will be for many years. In terms of influence on my work, I put Signs & Symbols in the same category with Liberated Quiltmaking (by Gwen Marston). Be aware, this is not a how-to book. There are no projects, and no descriptions of how to make quilts. But if you like quilt books that are filled with beautiful old quilts, and want to immerse yourself in a different and entrancing quilting tradition, you'll love this book.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very worthwhile read,
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This review is from: Signs and Symbols: African Images in African American Quilts (2nd Edition) (Paperback)
I started quilting about 10 years ago. I'm of American Indian ancestry. Along the years I have looked into the quilting styles of many different ethnic backgrounds: African American, Hawaiian, Japaneses (you get the idea). This is one of my favorite books. I love the visual images and details. It is a great book for academic research and for those interested in the rich history of symbolism and meaning tied to African American quilts. When I can afford a good copy it is going to be on my shelf and eventually it'll belong to my daughter (who has taken an interest in quilting/sewing).
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History of African American Quilts,
This review is from: Signs and Symbols: African Images in African American Quilts (2nd Edition) (Paperback)
I own 1st and 2nd editions. Whenever I learn ( self-taught ) a new craft I search for the best of books, this is a great book on the history of African American quilting techniques. I was fortunate to attend one of the author's lectures about 20 some years ago.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The use of strips is a chief construction technique, a dominant design element, and a symbolic form in West African, Caribbean, and African American textiles. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cloth charms, multiple patterning, slave quilts, strip quilt, story quilts, textile traditions, first quilt, protective charms, symbolic designs, quilt designs, quilt top, multiple patterns, quilt squares Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
African American, West African, Sarah Mary Taylor, Harriet Powers, Yazoo City, New York, United States, Pearlie Posey, Pecolia Warner, American Folk Art Museum, Arester Earl, Central African, Nine Patch, Republic of Congo, Lucinda Toomer, Robert Cargo, Ten Afro-American Quilters, Nora Ezell, Yvonne Wells, Elizabeth Scott, Joyce Scott, Leopard Society, Martha Jane Pettway, Mozell Benson, New Orleans New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The use of strips is a chief construction technique, a dominant design element, and a symbolic form in West African, Caribbean, and African American textiles. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cloth charms, multiple patterning, slave quilts, strip quilt, story quilts, textile traditions, first quilt, protective charms, symbolic designs, quilt designs, quilt top, multiple patterns, quilt squares Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
African American, West African, Sarah Mary Taylor, Harriet Powers, Yazoo City, New York, United States, Pearlie Posey, Pecolia Warner, American Folk Art Museum, Arester Earl, Central African, Nine Patch, Republic of Congo, Lucinda Toomer, Robert Cargo, Ten Afro-American Quilters, Nora Ezell, Yvonne Wells, Elizabeth Scott, Joyce Scott, Leopard Society, Martha Jane Pettway, Mozell Benson, New Orleans New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 74
books:
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18
books
cite this book:
See all 18 books citing this book
- African American by Spring Arbor on 6 pages
- The American Story: The Best of Storyquarterly by Anne Brashler on 5 pages
- Stitching Memories: African-American Story Quilts by Eva Ungar Grudin on 5 pages
- Stitched from the Soul: Slave Quilts from the Ante-Bellum South by Gladys-Marie Fry on 5 pages
- Folk Art (Home Craft) by Simona Hill on 4 pages
See all 74 books this book cites
- Gee's Bend: The Women and Their Quilts by William Arnett in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place by William Arnett in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Hearts and Hands: Women, Quilts, and the American Society by Pat Ferrero in Back Matter
- Market Women: Black Women Entrepreneurs: Past, Present, and Future by Cheryl A. Smith on page 244
- Cyberghetto or Cybertopia?: Race, Class, and Gender on the Internet by Bosah Ebo on page 233
See all 18 books citing this book
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