JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The generations-old tradition of quilting in African American heritage is celebrated as a one-of-a-kind form of expression, which stemmed from necessity.
CBS New York’s Kristie Keleshian spoke with textile artist Bisa Butler and a local quilting guild aimed at keeping the tradition of quilting alive for generations to come.
Within the walls of Butler’s Jersey City art studio, there are huge historic portraits, their quilt equivalents and, of course, the echoes of her long-arm sewing machine.
“My message with my artwork is to give the true story of what it means to be a Black American,” Butler said.
If you take a closer look at her work, you can see each and every detail tailored, literally, to fit several foot-long and wide quilts. Her vibrant portraits depicting African American life have been featured on magazine covers and in museums nationwide, including her 2021 piece “Don’t Tread on Me, God Damn, Let’s Go!” at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. depicting the Harlem Hellfighters.