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Bisa butler4/2/2023 ![]() The same fabric as the skirt is used as a binding around the outer edge of the quilt. At the bottom right, embroidered in orange thread, is the artist's signature. The dark background with purple sunflowers and blue dots, reminiscent of the night sky, signify Tubman’s travels in the night and her tremendous faith. Black and white kente fabric composes the chair upon which Tubman is seated, suggesting a royal throne and paying homage to the artist’s Ghanaian heritage. The pleats or stripes on the skirt appear evocative of the fields of crops Tubman labored in. Along the hem of the skirt is an orange wave design to symbolize pain and turmoil yet small seeds grow upwards and become strong flowers, symbolic of strong women. Surrounding the center section, the skirt has gold and orange ferns and palm fronds against a green background, the colors symbolizing African heritage, with the thick foliage at the bottom of the skirt gradually opening to a clearing at the top to signify a journey from turmoil to freedom. At bottom center of this section is an orange lion, an embodiment of Tubman herself. At center of the skirt is a round section with a vibrant purple and orange floral motif set against a bright teal background. ![]() The wide, pleated skirt is comprised of fabric based on a combination of designs by women from the Congo River. Yellow fabric with red birds denoting freedom compose the sleeves of Tubman’s dress. ![]() There is a swath of orange fabric across the chest and a bright blue fabric along the center row of buttons, beneath the distinctive white collar. Every flower is different as is every woman. The intricately boned corset at her bust is composed of a black fabric with floral bouquets representing women as the source of life and infinity. Her hair is made of a deep velvet cloth, soft and opulent to mimic the soft texture of some African American hair. Her face and hands are shown in contrasting shades of blue and purple with rich reds, symbolizing Tubman’s coolness, calmness, and strength as well as her power and force. Tubman gazes directly at the viewer, her proper right arm on the back of the chair and her proper left hand in her lap. ![]() The quilt depicts Tubman, in multiple bright-colored fabrics, seated against a dark floral background. ![]() The sunflowers appear to worship the sun and I use that to indicate Tubman’s devout faith.” Description A quilted and appliquéd textile portrait of Harriet Tubman by Bisa Butler, based on the carte-de-visite photograph portrait of Tubman by Benjamin F. The sunflower is known as a spiritual and devotional flower because they follow the sun as it moves from East to West in the sky. The sun is also a star, and the sunflower symbolizes that guiding light. No one will take me alive I shall fight for my liberty, and when the time has come for me to go, the Lord will let them kill me.' The sunflowers in the background have multiple meanings one is to acknowledge Harriet Tubman’s reliance (and that of many people escaping slavery) on the North Star to help point the way towards freedom. She was quoted as saying 'There are two things I’ve got a right to, and these are Death, or Liberty- one or the other I mean to have. The red fabric suggests her forceful personality, determination and will to be free. (230.5 × 163.8 × 0.6 cm) Caption The artist, Bisa Butler, expands on her use of symbolism in the portrait: “I used cool blues to communicate that Harriet Tubman was a person who had to hide, blend in, and escape detection in order to emancipate herself. Created by Butler, Bisa, American, born 1973 Subject of Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913 Date 2021 Medium cotton, silk and velvet Dimensions H x W x D: 90 3/4 × 64 1/2 × 1/4 in. On View Visual Arts Gallery Museum Maps Objects in this Location Exhibition Reckoning: Protest. ![]()
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