QUILT INDEX RECORD

31-27-207

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:

CHSLM-MQ297

Person filling out this form is:

Quiltmaker

When was the form filled out?

2014

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

The Mandela Story

How wide is the quilt?

30"

How long is the quilt?

30"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Predominate colors:

Blue; Brown; Purple

Overall condition:

Excellent/like new

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

2014

Describe the quilt's layout:

Nontraditional or art

Subject of the quilt:

Nelson Mandela

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Hand-dyed

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Embroidery Threads.

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Embellishment techniques:

Embroidery

Describe the techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand embroidered

How is the binding made?

Separate binding applied

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Polyester

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Quilt top made by:

Venda Women Tambani artists assisted by Ina Le Roux.

Quilted by:

Le Roux, Ina

Where the quilt was made, city:

Venda and Johannesburg

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Quilt is presently used as:

Artwork/wall hanging

Where did the quiltmaker find the pattern for the quilting design on the quilt?

Original to maker

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 25.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's city:

Venda and Johannesburg

Quilt owner's country:

South Africa

Quiltmaker's gender:

Group

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

South African

Quiltmaker's occupation:

Founder Tambani Textiles and Gifts

Quiltmaker's city:

Venda and Johannesburg

Quiltmaker's country:

South Africa

Description of quilt:

Tambani Project artists with Jenny Hearn
The Mandela Story
Venda, Limpopo, and Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Hand-dyed cotton, commercial cottons, polyester batting; machine pieced and quilted

In the very north of South Africa, between the Zoutpansberg Mountains and Zimbabwe is a region of harsh, dry climate where only thorn and baobab trees flourish. It is here in this uncompromising environment that Venda peoples scratch a meager subsistence from planted mielies (corn), sweet potatoes, and chilies and by keeping a few goats and chickens. The oral traditions of the Venda are rich and some women, through a project initiated by Venda scholar Ina le Roux, are now rendering their stories in embroidered cloths that are sold to supplement their income. Cloths are sold singly or pieced together, as in this one, to form a wall hanging or quilt. Quilt artist Jenny Hearn pieced together this set.

The first cloth here depicts Nelson Mandela in his youth as a cattle herder. The next shows the simple rural life of Venda where women make pots with river clay; these pots may be interpreted as vessels of hope for a better future. The third shows 1994, the end of apartheid and people going off to vote. The fourth picture is of Mandela, the protector of his people, sitting under the baobab.

Who photographed this quilt?

Dion Cuyler

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

The copyright belongs to the owner/artist.