This quilt references to traditional quilt designs that used
encoded patterns to help escaping slaves to freedom. The typographic code uses
individual lines representing letters of the alphabet. When layered along with
other letters a word is created within a single patch, patches combined then
form a phrase. The quilt is designed to be difficult to read, replicating the
nature of the historic quilts where only those who are in need can decode the message.Traditional codes within the quilt design would signal help, guidance and respite along what was a long difficult journey.
The quilt reads a famous quote by Martin Luther King. Jr:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things
that matter.”
*The quilt is currently part of the permanent collection in the International Slavery Museum, LIverpool.
