My art installation “Living Quilt for Sojourner Truth” was installed at Sojourner Truth Community Garden, 7365 Gloria Drive, Sacramento, CA, on Saturday, Nov. 21, with community participation. I created the “quilt” in the North Star pattern to honor the legacy of Sojourner Truth, a former slave who was a famous spokesperson for the Abolitionist Movement and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The North Star has been used for centuries as a guiding light for travelers, and legend has it that the North Star quilt was one used during the time of the Underground Railroad to show escaping slaves the direction north to freedom. The “quilt” is created with handmade paper having seeds for wildflowers in the pulp in the same colors and patterns, and over time it will transform into a living blooming bed of wildflowers. The “bed” also has a headboard and footboard woven of trimmed mulberry branches and local grapevines. This project was part of the City of Sacramento’s 2020 Artist in Residency program. The installation ceremony at 2 pm on Nov. 21 was held outdoors in the community garden area with community people attending and helping to lay down the 20 quilt squares.
These photos were taken by my husband Timothy S. Allen at the ceremony. Check back here often for updated photos to show the transformation of the “quilt” over time.