Blocks and Strips c. 1980

Irene Williams made this quilt, "Blocks and Strips," from fabric. The way she pieces together these materials reminds me of how I build up layers of paint, each one a step in a longer process. Looking at this piece, I’m drawn to the materiality. You can almost feel the different textures. The way the fabrics are worn and creased, it's a record of its past. See that big green and white striped block? It's got this faded patch in the middle like a stain; it's like a ghost of a memory, a trace of its use, so suggestive. There's something so direct and honest about the way Williams works. It makes me think of Gee’s Bend quilters, who also worked with whatever materials they had on hand, creating these amazing, improvisational compositions. Art is always a conversation, isn't it? We borrow, we steal, we transform. And, in the end, it's not about having all the answers, but about embracing the questions.