Posted 14 years ago
sabyrd8
(38 items)
This reversible story quilt's basic foundation is created from a "Britches" quilt which I found at a salvage yard in the Freestone County, Texas area. African Americans in the area were quite adept at turning old work pants into utility quilts. My grand mother , Gladys C. Henry was one of them. So following her lead....since all my quilts are usually created from recyclibles...I was elated to be able to retrieve this old quilt to include in my own artwork...This piece of folk art has gone on to create its own unique provenance as the following notes will explain......
The reversible story quilt called ..."HOMEGROWN", chronicles the history of the Edward "Ned" Titus family. Ned and his family members were brought to Freestone County, Texas in 1852 ,as slaves , by the Simeon and Nancy Lake family from South Carolina. Six generations of quilt makers developed from this family lineage. I am a fifth generation quilter in the legacy. I (Sherry A. Byrd) created this reversible Folk art creation to chronicle and record the Titus family history for future generations to enjoy!!!
This piece of folk art has been featured in the inaugural exhibit of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, in 2001. The exhibit, IT AIN'T BRAGGIN IF IT'S TRUE ….( and all the items featured in it) .…were declared by one source as being the best that Texas had to offer to history in the past 200 years. We count ourselves (as a family) honored to have had HOMEGROWN chosen to be a part of the illustrious lineup of historical items chosen to help tell THE STORY OF TEXAS on this history making occasion !!!
President George Bush gave the inaugural speech for the museum's opening day and most of the Texas Politicians and their family members attended the event. Among them were Governor Rick Perry and three former Texas Governors...Preston Smith; Dolph Briscoe; and Bill Clements. All these dignitaries had the unique opportunity to tour the new museum with the President and First Lady and also to view this unique piece of folk art.
