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Roderick Kiracofe and QUILTS

TQS would like to introduce Roderick Kiracofe and his new book QUILTS to our TQS members.   Many of you, however, may already be quite familiar with his work.

Roderick is the author of the critically acclaimed The American Quilt: A History of Cloth & Comfort (1993, 2004) and Cloth & Comfort: Pieces of Women's Lives from Their Quilts and Diaries (1994), published by Clarkson Potter Publishers (Random House).

He co-founded The Quilt Digest and curated "Showcase" for volumes 1-5 (1983-1987); published Homage to Amanda: 200 Years of American Quilts for the three-year traveling exhibition under the auspices of SITES (Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Services) and wrote the Introductions for A Quilter's Wisdom (1994, Chronicle Books) and Going West! Quilts and Community (2007, Smithsonian American Art Museum)

He produced and designed Yvonne Porcella: A Colorful Book (1986) and was a regular participant on one of PBS' most popular series The Great American Quilt (1991-1992).

Mr. Kiracofe also served as a consultant to the California Heritage Quilt Project. His expertise was used for the majority of quilt search days over a two-year period to date and assess quilts brought in by hundreds of families. He consulted on the selection of the quilts for the exhibition and book Ho For California! Pioneer Women and Their Quilts.(1990).

He served on the first board of directors for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). He currently serves on the Board of Oakland Art Murmur after helping to create a vibrant arts district in the City of Oakland (CA).

His latest self-published book, QUILTS, was the result of his curiosity about quilts made in "his era."  He wanted to know what the quilts were like which had been made from 1950 to the end of the 20^th century. Those he considered "outside" the second quilt revival of the 20^th century and the Art Quilt movement.  Had they even been made?  He was also curious about eBay and what it was all about.  Would this be a source for finding the quilts he was looking for?  The answer was YES to both questions. He was looking for the quilts that "broke the rules," those that caught his eye and spoke to him as works of art.  He was literally amazed and stunned at the treasures being uncovered.

Roderick found many of these quilts on eBay as well as from private dealers, flea markets and estate sales.  They are from all across the country. Some have documentation of a maker and where they were made; most do not. Some are African American (documented) and many are not. 

He was drawn to the visual beauty and power that each one possesses and is still intrigued and fascinated by the fact they were made by someone and in many cases, slept under.  They hold untold stories and voices.

QUILTS focuses on the historical journey of the quilt as a work of art. The joy and excitement of showing quilts from the collection at SFMOMA, San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, Petaluma Arts Center, and on Facebook and the incredible responses received through those venues was a huge motivating force in his creating this printed/digital archive.

Here's what Roderick has to say about his collection and his book:

The most recent thrill around the collection was hearing a story from a quilt colleague who has been working with a quilting group in South Carolina. She showed some of my quilts to the group on her iPad.  "Miss Ella" spent a considerable amount of time looking and holding the iPad and her comments made it clear she had gained a new appreciation for her own quilts. She shared that her quilts had embarrassed her daughter.

One of my goals in assembling the collection was to bring these "under-appreciated and unacknowledged" quilts into the light; to bring them to new audiences who would see and appreciate them AND hopefully be inspired.  The thought that Miss Ella would be validated for what she had created deeply touched me deeply.  The truth is, I cried.

QUILTS is not only a departure from THE AMERICAN QUILT in content, but also in presentation and design.  (I still love that book and project, but I wanted to see what other conversations could be had.) My love of photography and photo books came into play in designing and creating this book.  I designed a presentation that allowed the viewer the space and opportunity to view; see what you see and observe.  Relevant information for each quilts follow at the end of the book.

I highly recommend (for those with iPads and iPhones) downloading it as an eBook.   I have loved producing beautiful print books, but the first day I saw QUILTS as an eBook I was elated. The quilts truly shine in this format. The ability to touch and enlarge them, to observe them closely is almost like holding one in your lap; then back away to see it "on the wall."

Roderick has been kind enough to share photo excerpts from QUILTS below.