Published by University Press of Mississippi / Mississippi Museum of Art
Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South surveys the richly varied quiltmaking traditions sustained by Black women across the U.S. South during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Drawn from the Mississippi Museum of Art’s collection, the book features quilts from the landmark 2022 gift assembled by folklife documentarian Roland L. Freeman, showcasing over sixty handmade quilts, portraits, and related objects that affirm the South’s foundational role in shaping this artistic legacy.
Through essays by Sharbreon Plummer, Lauren Cross, and Danielle Mason, and a roundtable discussion with contemporary quilters led by Lydia Jasper, this volume foregrounds the artistry, history, and lived experiences of Black women quilters. It challenges long-held assumptions about African American quiltmaking, revealing a complex practice rooted in community, creativity, and cultural preservation.
Richly illustrated with ninety-five color plates, Of Salt and Spirit highlights how quilting continues to serve as a deeply personal and communal art form—one that holds memory, identity, and tradition in every stitch.
This publication accompanies the exhibition currently on view at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
Details:
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Hardcover, 168 pages
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Publisher: University Press of Mississippi / Mississippi Museum of Art
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Publication Date: December 5, 2024
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Language: English
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Dimensions: 9.75 x 0.75 x 11 in
