“The creative license of the artists to spark conversation about the correlation between the history of the mansion and the social revolution of today creates vocabulary…”

New York, NY- May 23, 2016  The voice of consciousness is ever present in the exhibition of The Fabric of Emancipation curated by Harlem Needle Arts in collaboration with the Morris-Jumel Mansion. The exhibit examines the diversity of fiber constructionists and their existence as Africans in the Americas.

Eight artists explore the development of textile to construct art which examines their personal identity, cultural worth and what it means (or does not mean) to be liberated in the Americas.  The works are further defined by the socio-political agency and injustices as it relates to the history of the mansion and its residents. The exhibition not only highlights the ills of oppression but it provokes a call to action for communities to research and become culturally aware that Africans in the Americas have an identity which is fractured but stands on centuries of history.

The expressions of art incorporate contemporary, folk, and abstract concepts, materials, and styles.  These stories in textile and design are tightly woven through each artist’s narrative of creating works through the media of quilt, embroidery, mix-media, clothing and fiber fusion. “The creativity and artistry put into these works that speak to a theme both personal and historical really says a lot about the continuing relevance of history today,” says Kelsey Brow, Assistant Curator at the Morris-Jumel Mansion.

The Fabric of Emancipation is an artistic force which illustrates truth while creating a force to move society forward. The exhibit stimulates citizens to think critically and radically about the humanity of people of African heritage.  

“The creative license of the artists to spark conversation about the correlation between the history of the mansion and the social revolution of today creates vocabulary and space for the viewer to evaluate the context of the Americas then and Americas now.  The artists are griots using thread as their base medium and their collective work represents the intersection of the invisible, the interpretation of oral history, the trauma of silence, African rituals and the continuous struggle for liberation.  As the works reimagine the world of needle arts, the exhibitions shreds light on the contemporary nature of art forms that have a life span representing centuries of creating through needle arts,” says Michelle Bishop, founder and executive director of Harlem Needle Arts.

The featured artists for The Fabric of Emancipation include:

Sara Bunn – New Jersey

Michael Cummings – New York

Ife Felix – New York

L’Merchie Frazier - Boston

Laura R. Gadson – New York

Dindga McCannon – Philadelphia

Heather Marie Scholl – New York

LaShawnda Crowe Storm - Indianapolis (in conjunction with poet M. Eliza Hamilton Abegunde)

Representing some of the countries’ preeminent fiber, textile and needle artists, their works are part of the permanent collections of the White House, Brooklyn Museum, Studio Museum of Harlem, American Museum of Art and Design, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Johnson Publications Co., Proctor and Gamble, Disney Corp. as well as private collections of Whoopi Goldberg, Bill and Camille Cosby. Works exhibited nationally and internationally New York, Boston, Connecticut, Kentucky, Washington, DC and San Diego along with South Africa, Japan, and Barbados.

The Fabric of Emancipation will open June 4 to October 3, 2016.  Opening reception June 4, 6:00pm-8:00pm. For more information and artists bios contact Michelle Bishop 212-491-8581

The following program is planned in conjunction with The Fabric of Emancipation, and take place at the Morris-Jumel Mansion:  Family day Saturday, July 9 – The Art of Quilting workshop

Generous support for The Fabric of Emancipation is provided by the New York Council for the Humanities.

Morris-Jumel Mansion is located at 65 Jumel Terrace, New York, New York, 10032 (212) 923-8008

Hours: 

Monday By appointment only | Tuesday – Friday 10:00am-4:00pm | Saturday – Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm