Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2023.008.001 |
Object Name |
Textile Construction |
Description |
This quilted banner, titled "IN PRAISE OF MOUNTAIN WOMEN," was inspired by and created for a gathering of the same name. The first In Praise of Mountain Women gathering was held in southwest Virginia in May 1991 as a regional, biennial, coming-together weekend of community-based groups. By 2009, the gathering had hosted eight biennial events celebrating learning/teaching skills. Margaret Gregg created this banner from artifacts and images mountain women brought to a 2002 meeting "From Story Telling to Policy Making." It was a preparation meeting for the group's participation in the United Nations' sponsored international summit of mountain women—"Celebrating Mountain Women"—in the small Himalayan country of Bhutan. The summit, which occurred throughout October 1-4, 2002, gave voice to the experience of mountain women around the world on issues of peace, the environment, and sustainable development. Two representatives, Renda Keith and Anne Leibig, carried the banner and a report from the Appalachian women who had been gathering since 1991. Through the years, Margaret Gregg has been the community artist: inspiring participatory wreath making at the first event; creating a group flag; designing the logo; preparing and printing a memory book; and assembling this banner. This quilted banner is divided into two main sections, the top and bottom, with borders on all sides. The banner is multi-colored, featuring shades of green, brown, orange, yellow, white, blue, pink, and black. The borders contain images of various people. The top border contains the text, "Let the earth praise the Lord! Mountains." The middle border contains the text, "& hills, orchards & forests, alleluia!" The bottom border contains the text, "young men & girls, old people & children too." The bottom half of the banner is a dark blue/purple and pink face with hair parted in the middle, almond-shaped eyes with bags underneath, an elongated nose, small heart-shaped lips, and a defined chin. Three dark blue/purple birds and a pink and dark blue/purple piece of corn are positioned near the face on the right side. The top half of the banner features various brown/black lines in the shape of rolling hills or mountains. The words "IN PRAISE OF MOUNTAIN WOMEN" are centered within these hills/mountains. An image of an older woman is also positioned above the hills/mountains. |
Date |
2002 |
Artist |
Margaret Gregg |
Dimensions |
H-59.5 W-38.5 inches |
Title |
IN PRAISE OF MOUNTAIN WOMEN |
Place of Origin |
USA/Virginia |
Material |
quilted fabric |
Subjects |
costume, clothing, and textiles American Art Appalachian Art |