PADUCAH, KY.- In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the
National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY is displaying an exclusive exhibition of quilts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in NY. The quilts were created to help people all over the world mourn the tragedies and losses that occurred in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The collection of quilts by artists from around the world reflect some aspect of the September 11 tragedies. Each piece is unforgettable, moving, heartbreaking and inspiring. The quiltmakers ranged from world-class quilt artists to women creating their first quilt. The exhibition includes:
• 9/11 by Bonnie Peterson - This quilt is made of photo transfers of the portraits of victims and memorials/obituaries that appeared in the newspapers following 9/11. There are also maps and written accounts by the artist's children, whose father lives in NYC.
• A Time to Mourn by Marilyn Pilkey - This quilt is very dark, using mainly black fabric. A woman wearing black clothing and a shawl wrapped around her head appears to have a sorrowful look on her face. The batting in the quilt is thicker so the woman is three-dimensional. "A Time to Mourn" is written in the lower right corner. Some of the fabric is delicate and antique.
• All We Could Do Was Watch by Ann Silberlicht - This quilt is a memorial to all the innocent lives lost on 9/11 and to their surviving loved ones. The border, consisting of figures made with fabrics representing flags from different countries, symbolizes the world watching the tragedy, as well as the multi-nationality of the murder victims. In the center are two towers composed of red-and-white-striped fabric. Mesh overlays are in the shape of a pentagon and a keystone.
• Angels Are Born by Michele Miroff - Created in memory of Michelle Scarpitta, 26 years old, who worked and died at the World Trade Center. This quilt depicts a woman with long brown hair holding an American flag heart with wings. Eight large yellow stars float around the woman. Printed on the back of the quilt is the message: "For my friend, Tony Melluzzo, who lived through 9/11 and for his niece, Michelle Scarpitta, who did not. This quilt was made in memory of Michelle, and all the angels who were born on 9/11. Each of the stars is for all the angels that arose from acts against our people: the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the flights, the USS Cole, and our embassies overseas. Made with love and respect by Michele Miroff Long Island, NY."
• Fragile by Izumi Takamori - This quilt has the Twin Towers depicted with bright silver fabric against earth tones and green patterned fabric. The figure of a faceless woman with wild hair and eyes stands behind the towers. Soft circular orbs dot the entire quilt.
• Reflections by Martha Kotter - This quilt depicts the New York City skyline against a red-and-beige-colored sky. The Twin Towers are missing. At the top "Reflections" is embroidered in black. Below the skyline, reflected in the water, is the same skyline, except the Twin Towers replace the void in the skyline. The sky reflected in the water is blue with puffy clouds.
• Requiem by Tomoko Hayakawa - This quilt uses floral-patterned fabric for the borders and block accents. The center of the quilt is primarily cream-colored with embroidery that suggests the outline of the Twin Towers. Accent flower/wreath patches contrast the cream with bright floral patterns.
