Harriet powers

Harriet Powers was born into slavery but continued to keep her faith, and showed her religious background in the quilts she made. She never gave up even when she was having financial difficulties. Harriet tried to believe that everyone was equal. Her quilts proved that anyone can believe and do anything that they want in life. "The life that Harriet lived was a struggle but, with her strength and hope she helped and inspired many people around the world with her quilts."

“Harriet Powers (1837-1910), African-American folk artist, and quilt maker who was born into slavery in Georgia, US. She used traditional appliqué techniques to record local legends, Bible stories, and astronomical events on her quilts #womensart”

Quilt by Peggie Hartwell titled "Harriet Powers"

harriet powers story quilts - Google Search

There may only be two surviving quilts from Black folk artist Harriet Powers, but it's enough to feel her power as an artist and storyteller!

Quilt

There are times when I am just speechless and extremely humbled. As you may know, I've been researching Georgia quilter Harriet Powers for the last few years and wrote a book about how her two known Bible-themed quilts survived more than a century to be housed today at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Smithsonian American History Museum. In the course of my research, a copy of an 1895/86 letter by Mrs. Powers was uncovered in Keokuk, Iowa. Mrs. Powers wrote that in 1882 she "…