Quilt - "Eastern Star" c. 1940

Margaret Linsley crafted this Eastern Star quilt, a vibrant testament to the enduring power of symbols, using fabric and thread. At its heart lies the eight-pointed star, a motif echoing through millennia, from ancient Sumerian emblems of Ishtar to the compass rose guiding seafaring explorers. Notice how Linsley’s star bursts forth in hues of red and blue. This evokes a primal sense of navigation, and guidance. The star, in its essence, embodies hope and direction, an archetypal image etched deep within our collective psyche. Consider how the star motif has reappeared, transformed yet recognizable, across diverse eras and cultures. From the Star of Bethlehem guiding the Magi to the stars adorning military banners, it persists, a beacon in the human story. The quilt's meticulous construction, piece by piece, mirrors the intricate tapestry of human experience. It is a powerful engagement with cultural memory, which has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.