QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-6750

Who documented this quilt?

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

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

15.0118

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

2014:55.11

Essay:

Artist statement about work:
The Chameleon was inspired by the work of science fiction writer Octavia Butler. Many of Ms. Butler's central characters were African American women with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. One such character had the ability to shape shift. My chameleon is my interpretation of that character, in quilt form. An idea put forth on paper is manifested in a myriad of cloth textures, to form an image.

Quilt's title:

Chameleon* Maybe

Subject of the quilt:

Octavia Butler's chameleon, Shape-shifter

Who helped you fill out the form?

Aleia Brown

When was the form filled out?

3/30/2015

Quilt top made by:

Butler, Bisa

Quilted by:

Butler, Bisa

Where the quilt was made, city:

West Orange

Where the quilt was made, state:

New Jersey (NJ)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

2009

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

African American

Does/did the quiltmaker belong to a group? Name of the group?

Women of Color Quilters Network

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

26 7/8"

How long is the quilt?

41 1/2"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Describe the edge:

Uneven

What color is the quilt?

Black; Orange; Purple; Red; Yellow

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Type of inscription:

Single Inscription

What is inscribed on the quilt?

B. Butler

Method used to make the inscription:

Embroidery

Describe where the inscription was found:

Front bottom right

Describe the quilt's layout:

Pictorial

Number of borders:

1

Describe the borders:

Printed border- 4"

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton; Rayon; Silk

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Print

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Lace

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Applique

Embellishments used:

Cotton thread

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

How is the binding made?

Front turned to back

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

half inch - one inch

How wide is the binding (measure on the top only)?

1/2", varies in some places

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cotton

How thick is the quilt?

Thin

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Original to maker

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

October Gallery Black Art Festival 2009 Newark Academy Solo Exhibit 2010

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt collector

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)

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

From the Collection of Carolyn Mazloomi

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

Michigan State University Museum, all rights reserved