QUILT INDEX RECORD

31-27-206

Who documented this quilt?

South Africa Quilt History Project; Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

South Africa Quilt History Project

South Africa Quilt History Project Number:

CHSLM330

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

When was the form filled out?

2014

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Catalyst: The Creation of A Rainbow Nation

How wide is the quilt?

30"

How long is the quilt?

30"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Predominate colors:

Black; Blue; Green; Red; White

Overall condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

April-May 2014

Describe the quilt's layout:

Nontraditional or art

Subject of the quilt:

Nelson Mandela

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Silk

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Satin; Velvet

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Taffeta, Lame, Brocade

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

Curved and string piecing.

Quilt top made by:

Harris, Colleen

Quilted by:

Harris, Colleen

Where the quilt was made, city:

Linden, Johannesburg

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Consceince of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela; International Quilt Conference Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2014

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

MacDowell, Marsha; Mazloomi, Carolyn. Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela. Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, 2014; page 59.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's name:

Colleen Harris

Quilt owner's city:

Linden, Johannesburg

Quilt owner's country:

South Africa

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

12/19/1945

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

South African

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Retired Analyst/Programmer

Quiltmaker's city:

Linden, Johannesburg

Quiltmaker's country:

South Africa

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

Textile Art Group, Gauteng (TAGG)

Description of quilt:

Colleen Harris
Catalyst: The Creation of A Rainbow Nation
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Satin, taffeta, lamé, velvet, silk, brocade; curved and string pieced

Nelson Mandela was and still is an inspiration to all South Africans. For a man to spend 27 years in jail because he wanted equality for all South Africans and then be released and not be bitter and revengeful is nothing less than a miracle. How often does one hear “If Mandela can forgive, then so can I”?

He united a nation that was on the brink of a blood bath. He freed not only black South Africans but white South Africans as well. He set an example, not only for South Africans, but also for the whole world.

I found all the proceedings surrounding his death very moving. The nation came together, all races, religions and creeds, not so much to mourn his passing but to celebrate his life and what he had achieved – the creation of a Rainbow Nation.

Essay:

Whenever I’m asked for an artist’s statement I go into a decline, not knowing what to write. I do what I do because I need to do it and have to do it and enjoy doing it. It keeps me going and more or less sane in a world that is often difficult to deal with. I love to experiment and will happily create with fabric, paper, metal, plastic, plant material and anything else that I happen upon. My work has been published and exhibited locally and internationally.

Who photographed this quilt?

Dion Cuyler

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

The copyright belongs to the owner/artist.