Squares is a modern compilation of 16 West African cotton, richly patterned textiles. The piece evokes both an archive and a window, the prints referencing a broad African and African diasporic visual vocabulary - some are bold and declarative, others subtle and weathered, suggesting age or erosion. Together, they form a conversation across regions, generations, and lived experience. The variation in scale and pattern resists uniformity, honoring multiplicity rather than a single narrative of Black identity.  Color plays a central role in the emotional tone of the work.
The grid structure recalls architectural forms, windows, walls, or stacked dwellings, suggesting community and shelter. The black sashing is not merely a divider; it is an active element that frames, stabilizes, and gives breathing room to each block. Like pauses in music or margins in a book, these dark lines allow the eye to rest while reinforcing the individuality of each section.
This wall hanging also reflects the practice of collecting, of saving meaningful remnants and allowing them to speak anew.  The quilt honors traditions of resourcefulness and reclamation long present in Black quilting communities, where necessity gave rise to innovation and beauty.
SQUARES is quilted with a free motion machine quilting technique.  Printed binding strips were topstitched over solid black cotton sashing and invisible thread was used to avoid distraction from the vibrant colors and patterns of each block.  The binding contrasts each side: it was machine sewn on the front and hand sewn on the back.  The back is a solid black cotton fabric that showcases a unique one-of-a-kind stitch design. Ready to Hang  Approx 39" x 39".