​Quilting has been a vital strand of African culture, telling vivid and complex stories of pain, oppression, freedom, and power.

This historical art form reveals a powerful sense of purpose, community, and communication embedded within it. Quilts are as unique and individual as their makers, who adopt quilting styles that reflect upon both their rich visual heritage and the many stories of their complex and troubled past.

The City of Johannesburg presented a Virtual Quilt Exhibition of African Quilts that at Weltevreden Park Library on Friday 24 September 2021 at 09:00am.

Gwyneth Perry, the Senior Librarian at the Weltevreden Park Library, said as part of making libraries exciting, monthly there are themes followed. “We explored the heritage of our country and the traditions that bring our community together.

“Our traditions are at the core of a caring city, where heritage aids individual growth and development, and provides background knowledge and guidance to achieving one’s intellectual, physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

“This is an opportunity to present quilts in a different forum from the usual. It was a great chance to show the art works being done by local quilters in Johannesburg and to celebrate quilting and Heritage month in a combined program,” said Perry.

Perry expressed her gratitude to the textile artists who provided their works for the exhibition, said Perry.

Sandra de Wet, one of the textile artists whose work was included in the exhibition, was excited by the idea. “Nice venture,” were her thoughts. She was pleased to be able to contribute.

Pat Murdoch, another of the quilters in the exhibition, enthusiastically presented a quilt for consideration and was pleased to have her work on show too. The event was very well received by viewers, who enjoyed looking at the art works.

Bongiwe Ncobela, one of the attendees of the virtual exhibition, was especially taken with the textile art. “These quilts are beautiful,” she remarked.

A key moment was the enthusiasm with which the virtual exhibition was received by the viewers and being able to explain more about textile art in South Africa.

To view the virtual exhibition, please click on the link https://www.facebook.com/JoburgLibraries