The field of textile art grew significantly when artist and designer Ife Felix formed Harlem Girls Quilting Circle back in 2000. Now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, the group of artists launched their vision in textile to amplify the voice of African/American quilt art.
As HGQC celebrates this milestone anniversary they would like to invite you to a retrospective of their work in the upcoming exhibit Still Stitching: 20 years of Thread-istry, September 13 to 26 at the Kente Royal Gallery. Opening reception Sunday, September 13 at 3pm – RSVP required and Covid protocol will be in place.
About
Harlem Girls Quilting Circle (HGQC) started out as a one-day workshop hosted by founding member Ife Felix. Ife reflects on that memorable day.
As a community, which is much like family, I initially reached out to my friends for their support of my fundraising efforts related to my video production project. I organized a one-day quilt workshop which included food, friends, talk, laughter and the art of quilting. I solicited my friends from the African dance circle here in New York and they each welcomed the quilt workshop with open arms.
By the end of the workshop day my sister friends enjoyed the experience of quilting so much they wanted to continue to meet. We set a schedule and each month a different member host the group. As they say the rest is history but with a unique twist.”
The twist is more like a world wind of quilting activity and exploration which has engaged the members of HGQC for the past twenty years. This outstanding group of women blossomed into fiber and needle artists, sharing the African experience in quilt and exposing the community to the history of traditional folklore.
With their fingers on the pulse of the local and world communities, from which they derive, HGQC is not your typical quilt group. A progressive group of women who are staples in New York City’s African dance community, the members are professional, world travelers, mothers, daughters, sisters, multitasking creatives who come together monthly in Harlem, New York to explore the art of quilting, the camaraderie of sisterhood and escape the busyness of their daily lives. Each member has her own distinctive style of creating quilts. Harlem Girls Quilting Circle sets the tone for the urban quilter with an aesthetic which is exclusively their own. Cosmopolitan women, who represent a life style in modern day New York, grounded in the tradition of their African culture. The art of many members are in private collections as the quilts continue to capture the public’s attention.
Armed with the fabrics of their craft, the members of Harlem Girls Quilting Circle share their social commentary in quilt regarding the issues that impact their communities. Their works depict social commentary and the voices of women who question and dialogue about matters of community, family, human rights, gentrification, politics, culture, solidarity, economics, education and spirituality.
Their thought-provoking quilts inspire viewers to walk away not just wondering about societal matters but the images ignite a mental spark for audiences to question, become involved and search for resolutions to the many issues which those of the African Diaspora face daily.
Socially conscious quilters, HGQC members are known for exploring beyond the traditional quilt box to challenge their artistic ability and create textile works which have garnered the group international attention. The members of HGQC are considered “Quilt Griots”, as their exhibits traditionally tell stories and share a learning experience.
“We are folk artists who are continuing the tradition of style and craftsmanship of quilting in the African Diaspora with a modern-day twist. We don’t resign our craft to only historical quilt patterns or just gifts for family members; it goes far beyond to teaching history, engaging new audiences and creating an appreciation of needle and textile art in our community and beyond. Our freedom of expression has created a journey which represents a celebration of our culture and a tribute to our ancestors,” says founding member Ife Felix.
