Monday, April 1, 2013

Anna Williams Quilt at the Brooklyn Museum!


A big highlight of my trip to NYC was seeing a quilt by Anna Williams at the Brooklyn Museum.

There's a show there called "Workt by Hand, Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts."
There are many incredible quilts from the museum's collection.
You can see more photos at Helen's and Victoria's blogs.




It was Anna William's quilt that really captivated me.  




Made in 1995, it seemed to vibrate with joy and energy.




So many little pieces.







So many "ugly" fabrics--including sparkles!




I never thought I'd actually get to see one of her quilts up close.




Proof that there is "no scrap too small," and "no wish too big!"



at

30 comments:

  1. JanetApril 1, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    So much to look at in that amazing quilt, so many fabrics to check out and lots of stitching. How lucky you are to have seen it in the flesh.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PamApril 1, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    I could look at her quilts all day. So glad you got to see it at the exhibit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tonya RicucciApril 1, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    yay! man, it would take me a lot of nerve to use sequined fabric. but it really does make this quilt more fun. hurrah for Anna Williams!

    ReplyDelete
  4. pat sloanApril 1, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    She is incredible ..inspired me over 15 yrs ago when I first heard of her work. Do you have the book of her quilts?

    ReplyDelete
  5. audreyApril 1, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    Very incredible quilt. Love how she used every color of fabric, the improv. piecing and esp. the way she combined prints with solids to give the eye a place to 'land'. I'm sure it practically vibrates when you see it in person.:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. SharonApril 1, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Oh, this is an amazing quilt. No wonder it captured your eye! Lucky you to get to see it!

    It's fun to look at all those fabrics AW used. Sad to say, I think I have some of those ugly fabrics circa 199something. Now if I could just make something as wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JanApril 1, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    Wow, those detail pics were a treat to see. Anna William's quilts have long intrigued me. I was sorry to read that she had passed away, though.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KarenApril 1, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    No wonder this captivated you! Bet it was beautiful in person.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsApril 1, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    Wow, wow, wow, I have long been a fan of Anna Williams, and this quilt is incredible!! Thanks for showing so much detail. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. fiberchickApril 1, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    Thank you so much for posting this. She is my favorite quilter EVER...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cynthia@wabisabiquiltsApril 2, 2013 at 12:10 AM

    Incredible quilt! I am going to be in NYC later this month - can't wait to see this exhibit!

    ReplyDelete
  12. lizApril 2, 2013 at 2:16 AM

    So excited. I am also going to NYC and will be putting this exhibition at the top of my list of to dos. Any other quilty suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  13. MicheleApril 2, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    Glorious! I could look at this quilt all day long.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anita Grossman SolomonApril 2, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    I gave the Anna Williams quilt from my collection to the Brooklyn Museum. I got great pleasure seeing it in my home almost daily since 1996. My intention was to memorialize my husband who was once involved with the Museum while making the piece available to a greater audience. I'm glad you included an image of the 'wall label.'
    -Anita

    ReplyDelete
  15. HeidiApril 2, 2013 at 5:15 AM

    what an awesome quilt ! Looks like I'm lucky and may be able to see this in person too...I'll come to NYC in May and this exhibition will be on my list :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. smazoochieApril 2, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    Thanks for sharing! It looks like a fabulous exhibit. There's a catalog available, do you think it's worthwhile? I won't be seeing it in person.

    ReplyDelete
  17. KathyApril 2, 2013 at 5:25 AM

    Love it!!! Is the exhibiting going to be traveling anywhere else?

    ReplyDelete
  18. patty a.April 2, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Fabulous quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bonnie HullApril 2, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    Thanks for including the label...I was so happy to see that she was "discovered" and her work was revered in her own life time...doesn't happen to a lot of us. Oops...just threw away some tiny little pieces...for shame!

    ReplyDelete
  20. QuiltdivajulieApril 2, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Incredible - I found myself holding my breath just looking at the photos. Can't imagine what it would have been like to be standing right there WITH the quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  21. meli BApril 2, 2013 at 4:42 PM

    You are so right about so many ugly fabrics. The skill though, is in the putting together. This quilt works so beautifully in its lines and structure. The white patches seem to ground you. This is not just a scrappy quilt. Those ugly pieces have been laid out masterfully. Thank you for introducing me to her work.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Selvage QuilterApril 2, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    Thanks so much for showing Anna Williams' quilt! I may have to go there to visit with it in person.

    Great posts about NYC. The photo of the W.R. Grace building made me chuckle. I never saw it that way, but I will from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  23. antique quilterApril 3, 2013 at 2:57 AM

    just beautiful I may just have to go into brooklyn and see this quilt in person. WOW
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mary KeaslerApril 3, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Wow and Wow again! Dreams do come true. I have 3 very large tubs ( and more) of tiny scraps that I have been contemplating tossing into the trash. Well, now, I just can't do it. Let me know if I should box them up and send them your way.
    Or better yet, let's plan a Anna Williams retreat.

    ReplyDelete
  25. RachaeldaisyApril 3, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    That is a truly beautiful and inspiring quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  26. TerryApril 3, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    A wonderful reflection of a quilters spirit. Thank yoy for the wonderful detailed pictures. Inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sujata ShahApril 4, 2013 at 4:22 AM

    LeeAnn,
    What a treat to be seeing this beauty in person. Her work inspires me over and over again. I want to drop everything and start digging into my scrap pile.
    Thanks for loads of pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MegoApril 4, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    I have been looking at this quilt over and over...I have clearing the cutting table and pulled out every little scrap I couldn't bear to part with and have been sewing them together. Ugly or not. LOVE this!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Magpie SueApril 4, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    Ever since I learned about Anna Williams' quilts from Nancy Crow I've wanted to see them in person. Lucky you!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sherri ~ daintytimeApril 19, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    Ain't that somethin' !

    ReplyDelete