Ubuntu Rising is a quilted wallhanging using cloth that  speaks fluently of connection and shared humanity, layered color and deliberate geometry.  It is named for the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are”.
 
The piece honors both the African roots of patterned cloth and the Black American quilting tradition that transformed necessity into artistry. Each strip of fabric carries its own rhythm, pattern, and story, yet together they create a unified whole, reflecting the essence of Ubuntu.
 
The black negative space serves as a place of rest and reflection rather than emptiness.  The quilt’s radiating diamonds emerge from the grounded, dark center, symbolizing both origin and possibility—a reminder that from stillness and depth, movement and growth can unfold. 
 
As the eye moves outward from the center, the composition expands in layered symmetry, evoking growth that is both personal and communal. The rising pattern suggests elevation of spirit and identity.  It is not a chaotic ascent, but a grounded and intentional one, rooted in heritage.
In a world often marked by division, Ubuntu Rising offers a visual affirmation that unity is not sameness, but harmony.
16 blocks - Machine and Hand Quilted     Ready to hang  Approx 58” x 58’