Gabrielle's Mimi

A non-quilting male friend just sent me this link to a story about a newsworthy quilt in a quilt show. Apparently there was an uproar over the fact that it depicted a naked woman in more detail that one might expect on a quilt...hard to tell, though, since MSNBC blocked it out on the video. I have not seen the quilt, but first impression is that art is art, and we ought to let people express themselves without censure. More importantly, however, is that this quilt depicts the plight of a homeless pregnant woman literally stripped of all she owns. Since we are women who should be concerned about the plight of homeless, victimized women, perhaps we should be more upset about the ramifications of homelessness on women and children, and less worried about body parts, which presumably, most of us own. IMHO, I think the artist is trying to shock us into paying attention and solving the problem of poor women in this country and around the world. What do you think?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...79136#41779136

sandyo

I guess I agree with the last women. An artist can create how they want. Everyone does not have to like it. This is not a new issue in art, but maybe in quilting.

Lori S

Why would a quilt be any different than a Painting...? People have been painting and sculpting naked people for .... thousands of years. Why would a fiber artist be held to narrow subject matter that is exculusionary .

quiltwoman

I think there is a time and a place....perhaps a warning would have been appropriate?? or an option not to view it?

We currently have the bodies revealed exhibit in town--I remember a few years ago when it came to a bigger city, people were protesting--I found it to be a disappointment...

I guess if I was at the show with my kids, I would appreciate a warning and decision to view it or to bypass. JMHO

happyscrappy

beautiful quilt, and yes the uproar should be over homelessness. my motto . . . don't like it, don't look.

Sadiemae

I have my doubts as to whether this would be open to the public where I live. I know it wouldn't be in the tiny little quilt show here, and I don't think it would be in the next town either. It isn't my thing, but to each his own.

Candace

Art is art. I can't believe in this day and age people still call a naked body "pornography". Pornography is sexual content. This quilt, is not about sex and is all about awareness. I don't exactly care for it, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

AliKat

This is an honest representation of a homeless pregnant woman. I agree, the uproar should be over homelessness and how it affects women and children.

ali

LucyInTheSky

I'll have to click the link at home... work block. There was a magazine 6 months (?) ago that had controversial quilts. I believe one showed someone giving birth, one showed something with Jesus, things like that. And the publisher put the magazine in a plastic bag to avoid complaints about the "explicit" nature.

I agree that anyone should be able to express themselves however they want. I also think that there should have been a warning or separate area, because the viewers have the right to not see it for whatever reason. So not censorship, but a way to respect the opinions of all involved.

BellaBoo

Since when did a quilt show become the Awareness showcase for all social ills? I go to a quilt show for escape of the world's stresses not to be reminded of them at every corner. How depressing to sit and study the subject intent of this quilt and who would want to?