KQED's Forum Quilt Exhibit at Berkeley Museum Chronicles Black Lives in California
Jun 10, 2025
Ora Clay, a talented quiltmaker and member of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland, joins Elaine Yau, Associate Curator of the Berkeley Art Museum, to discuss the exhibit showcasing African American quilts from California. They delve into the emotional and historical significance of these quilts, tracing stories of migration and resilience from the South to the West. The conversation highlights how humble materials convey powerful narratives, preserving family heritage and cultural identity in stunning artistic forms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Quilts as Creative Memory Spaces
- Quilts offer a creative space that integrates into daily life, allowing for storytelling and memory externalization.
- They provide warmth and comfort while carrying accumulated memories and experiences.
Ora Clay's Journey Quilt
- Ora Clay brought a quilt from Alabama to California symbolizing home and the journey westward.
- Her quilt honors Pullman Porters who looked out for travelers like her, embedding personal history into the quilt.
From Pattern to Story Quilt
- Ora Clay started quilting with a traditional log cabin pattern before evolving to create story quilts.
- Her story quilt honors Brown v. Board of Education and includes appliqued images that tell important historical narratives.