next > | printable interview | download acrobat | Interviewer: Perhaps we should begin by defining what it is we are discussing. What is a traditional or utilitarian quilt? Roberts: Layers of fiber joined by stitching. Interviewer: What is a contemporary or art quilt? Roberts: Layers of fiber joined by stitching. Interviewer: I have noticed, in the quilt world, that there seems to be an argument brewing between many traditional quilters and contemporary quilt artists. Many traditional guilds and quilters exclude art quilts because they do not adhere to traditional quilting conventions. Some quilt artists counter that traditional quilts lack originality and assert that they are not art. What are your thoughts on this debate? Where do you situate yourself and your work within this debate? Roberts: The arguments between makers of art quilts and makers of traditional and utilitarian quilts over authenticity, creativity, artistry, and intrinsic worth could not be more irrelevant. Traditional and utilitarian quilts are the maker’s artistic expression. Art quilts are utilitarian. We need them. They serve a purpose. They are deeply rooted in tradition even as their makers reinterpret those traditions. It is like the oceans and the noon sky arguing over which is really blue. They are both blue and they meet at an infinite number of points along the event horizon. My work is one of those points. Interviewer: Your work is comprised of both traditional and contemporary constructions. Can you talk about that? How did that come about? Roberts: The first three quilts I completed could be considered traditional quilts, if you accept that as a useful designation. They are made of traditional quilt blocks, machine pieced and quilted in commercial cotton solids and prints. The backing fabric is black cotton. The fourth quilt I completed, Kente Sunrise, is an original design of brightly colored, commercial batik fabric. It’s backing fabric is also black. This piece marks one of my transitions. The Bogolanfini series I began in 2002 was a complete departure from my earlier work. Bogolanfini First is the first piece I constructed by quilting acrylic painted and distressed on ripped, raw-edged canvas. It is also the first piece that features the exaggerated thread length that is now characteristic of much of my work. It’s backing fabric is also black.   next >   © 2005 keisha roberts, all rights reservedphoto creditsdesigned by keroberts.com