The Exhibition
PORTRAITS IN TEXTILES – The exhibition focus close-up on specific areas in a number of images. Click on the image for a slideshow, to view the full size scale of the total image.
In a brief overview, the exhibition delves into the unique and original works of fabric. Lisa Butler, a well known African American artist, is quilting for culture with Textile Art. Utilising scraps of cloth, combing the fabrics together, and making something beautiful is a continuous joy. The artist explains; Humble beginnings, or simple ingredients can make masterpieces. “Say it loud I’am Black and I’am Proud! In a celebration of Black life is beautiful, the artist tells us, she would like the works to speak for itself. “Speak for me, my people, tell the truth about who and what humanity is, that we are all valuable.”
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The Artist
“TELLING STORIES THAT MAY BE FORGOTTEN OVER TIME:” Bisa Butler was born in New Jersey 1973. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1991. Her mother was a teacher, and her father a college president, was burnin Ghana. Graduating from Howard university in fine art, her undergraduate degree was in painting. A medium of expression in which she had very little connection. Bisa achieved a master’s degree in art education, from Montclair State University in 2004.Working with fabric & fibre, she hasdeveloped quilting into a fine art. The work of quilting considered a craft, through Bisa’s creativity, the quilts are now looking like paintings. Her works are being collected by major museums in America, and around the world. Bisa explained her inspiration in this way: “as a child, I was always watching my mother and grandmother sew, and they taught me. After that class, I made a quilt for my grandmother on her deathbed, and I have been quilting ever since.”
