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Courageous

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QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-5968

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Women of Color Quilters Network

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

12.0005

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2012:106.1

Object label:

Courageous
Carolyn Crump
Houston,Texas
c2011
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#2012:106.1

Essay:

In creating this tribute to Nelson Mandela, I wanted to symbolize each hardship on his path, as well as his inspiring triumphs. He stands with his back to the viewer, his actual prisoner number across his shoulders above the slogans he fought for and refused to give up in 1963. In his hands, clasped behind his back, are the old and new South African flags. At the lowest center edge of the quilt are 27 stones, representing each year he was incarcerated for fighting for equality. Move up the left side, and you see him at hard labor, as the African National Congress flag flies behind him– emblem of the party he would lead. Nelson Mandela stares out the prison bars, seeing his own past and future: his fist held out the window on the prison bus; the armed prison guard who actually became his friend through years of incarceration; his own, older face as President; and finally, Nelson Mandela casting a vote which is the inalienable right his courage won for all South Africans. His Nobel Peace Prize on the right speaks volumes in five words – A Long Walk to Freedom.

-- Carolyn Crump

Quilt's title:

Courageous

Quilt top made by:

Crump, Carolyn

If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?

Purchased the quilt

Where the quilt was made, city:

Houston

Where the quilt was made, state:

Texas (TX)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

c2011

Why was the quilt made?

Art or personal expression

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's city:

Houston

Quiltmaker's state:

Texas (TX)

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

African American

Other notes on how the quiltmaker learned, and how and why they quilt:

For Carolyn Crump, a quilt is not a bed spread - it’s a canvas. She creates multi-medium quilts and uses them as a means to tell stimulating stories that defy common boundaries. Born in Detroit, Crump left to pursue the fine arts. Working with a plethora of mediums, Crump defines multi-talented.

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

43 1/2"

How long is the quilt?

56"

Shape of edge:

Other

Shape of corners:

Other

What color is the quilt?

Beige or Tan; Black; Gray; Green; Red; Rust

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Type of inscription:

Message

What is inscribed on the quilt?

“Votes for All” “Freedom in Our Lifetime” “Equal Pay For All” “Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela” “A Long Walk To Freedom” “Away with Passes” “Post Mandela Life or Death Trial” “Apartheid Unjust 1963 1990” “46664”

Location of inscription:

on block

Describe the quilt's layout:

Medallion or framed center

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Applique

Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:

Ink drawing; Painting

Description of the back:

Felt

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cannot tell

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Quilting designs used, background fills:

Meander

Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:

A medallion quilt featuring the back of Nelson Mandela with his prison number on his shirt, "4664". and holding flags. Juxtaposed on the back are two men breaking up rocks on a prison work crew. Appearing on the rocks and on other objects are words, "Votes for All", "Freedom in Our Lifetime", "Equal Pay For All", "Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela", "A Long Walk To Freedom", "Apartheid Unjust", "1963", "1990", "Away With Passes", and "Mandela Life or Death Trial". From the artist: COURAGEOUS 1. Mandela on the prison bus with his fi st sticking out the window 2. The plane that took Mandela to the island 3. The prison guard that became his friend 4. The newspaper cover announcing the trial 5. The mountains beyond Robben Island 6. The back of Mandela 7. Prison bars 8. Mandela as president 9. Mandela voting 10. Mandela prison number 11. Picket signs 12. Guard tower 13. African National Congress (ANC) 14. Noble Peace Prize 15. Mandela sitting down breaking rocks 16. Mandela standing up breaking rocks 17. New South Africa fl ag 18. Old South Africa fl ag 19. Breaking up apartheid 20. Stamping out the UNJUST treatment of black people 21. Year incarcerated 22. Year released from prison 23. Away with Passes 24. Chains that held him 25. 7 stones in his arms represent the seven men who went to prison with him 26. Long pants (the non blacks was issued long pants and the blacks short pants. 27. 27 stones (a stone for each year incarcerated) COURAGEOUS In creating this tribute to Nelson Mandela, I wanted to symbolize each hardship on his path, as well as his inspiring triumphs. He stands with his back to the viewer, his actual prisoner number across his shoulders above the slogans he fought for and refused to give up in 1963. In his hands, clasped behind his back, are the old and new South African flags. At the lowest center edge of the quilt are 27 stones, representing each year he was incarcerated for fighting for equality. Move up the left side, and you see him at hard labor, as the African National Congress flag flies behind him- emblem of the party he would lead. Nelson Mandela stares out the prison bars, seeing his own past and future: his fist held out the window on the prison bus; the armed prison guard who actually became his friend through years of incarceration; his own, older face as President; and finally, Nelson Mandela casting a vote which is the inalienable right his courage won for all South Africans. His Nobel Peace Prize on the right speaks volumes in five words - A Long Walk to Freedom.

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

“Patterns of Inquiry.” Michigan State University Museum, June 3 - September 23, 2012.

Source of the information on this quilt:

Museum employee

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public- Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Purchase

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

MSU Board of Trustees

Cite this Quilt

Crump, Caroly. Courageous. c2011. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Women of Color Quilters Network. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5968. Accessed: 03/29/24

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