Amish Abstractions at the de Young

Tumbling Blocks, Stairway to Heaven variation, Holmes County, OH 1935There’s nothing like some wintery weather to make you re-think your bedding; there’s also nothing like a few gray days to send you into a museum to see something beautiful. Luckily, the de Young offers a unique combination of both with its exhibit of Amish quilts called Amish Abstractions. An incredible gathering of 48 quilts from the collection of Faith and Stephen Brown (collectors from Tiburon, CA), this exhibit explores color, fabrication, design, and creativity in their purest forms.

The Brown collection is unique in that it includes Amish quilts from both Lancaster County, PA and communities in the Mid-West, blending a variety of styles and techniques in one group. While the Pennsylvanian quilts are known for being crafted in wool fabrics, the Mid-Western are distinguished by their use of the color black, and are mainly composed of cottons. The collection dates between the 1880s and the 1940s – the high period of Amish quilting.

The Amish communities follow a form of conservative Anabaptist religion, which does not allow for creative expression or shows of individual pride. The women of the communities, the quilters, were only educated to the 8th grade. Despite this, the quilts show nuanced and sophisticated creative decisions that challenged the strictures of the community. Vibrant color combinations, geometric arrangements, and playful rearrangements of blocks and patterns show a wit and playfulness from the hands of the creators.

The abstract designs of the quilts pre-date Abstract Expressionism and Op-Art by many years, and due to their sheltered life, the quilters would never have seen examples of this type of art. That such a simple community of women developed such complex and exciting textile designs is the true intrigue behind the collection. Each piece proves that form, shape, and color are a universal language that goes beyond place and education.

For those interested in craft or the textile arts, this is a must-see exhibit. The piecework technique used in the quilts shows an incredible thriftiness with the material, while the detailed stitching motifs serve as a challenge to even the most advanced sewers. There are also small touches in each piece that show the humor and wit of the craftswomen, inviting a closer look from the viewer.

A unique exhibit that offers both visual and creative inspiration, the Amish Abstractions exhibit should not be missed. Open now at the de Young and running through June 2010.

Center Diamond, Lancaster County, PA 1930Bowtie, Holmes County, OH 1930