Saloma helping me with my quilt during COVID (above). I'm so proud to be in this exhibition, "Trueque," showcasing the work of eight artists from the Bay Area and Mexico to imagine reciprocal systems of exchange beyond the lens of our current capitalist paradigm. Oftentimes, when we think about exchange, we think about an equal monetary trade for goods. But what are the implications when exchange happens without following the guidelines of that system? What happens, when alternatively, there is an exchange of memories, cultures, feelings, shared knowledge, or physical goods with others? See the show here: https://rootdivisiontalk.wpcomstaging.com/gallery/

I finished my quilt this summer as the heat topped 100 degrees in Indiana. I finished parts of this quilt on a treadle sewing machine (no electricity) at my Amish teacher's house, and some parts I painted with fabric paint. I was inspired by classic Amish symbols (fruit pie, ice skates, laundry drying on the clothing line, jam jars, etc), Icelandic sweaters, Japanese shibori and my experiences (and some fabrics) from Scandinavia. With thanks to the patience and expertise of my teacher, Saloma, who helped all along the way!

Arranging, piecing, sketching the composition

Heating the iron on the gas stove.

A pencil drawing of me and my quilt teacher.

Framed on the wall, a poem at my quilt teacher's house.

Quilts on barns in Northern Indiana, between Orland and Shipshewana