Afrofuturism as Inspiration
Carole Lyles Shaw
Sources of inspiration for individual works as well as series come to me from many, many sources. In this blog, I will briefly talk about how one series was born based on my long time interest in science fiction/speculative fiction.
A few months ago, I was invited to submit a quilt for a unique exhibition on the theme ofAfrofuturism. Afrofuturism is a genre within speculative fiction/science fiction that explores the role that Blackpeople will play in the future of the human race. Of course, examples that quickly come to mindinclude the Black Panther movies and the iconic character Lieutenant Nyota Uhura played by Nichelle Nichols and other Black actors in the ongoing Star Trek TV series and movies.
I used a different source of inspiration—a book that I originally read many, many years ago. My quilt design is inspired by Dawn, a novel by Octavia Butler. It is the first in a planned series of portrait quilts based on Ms. Butler’s AfroFuturist novels.
I created a Spirit Portrait of Lilith, the central character of the novel. A spirit portrait is a textile
collage based in the techniques of quiltmaking while drawing on the design elements typically found in painted portraiture. A spirit portrait represents the essence of an individual within their personal and historical context. It is not meant to be a representational depiction.
The Book as Inspiration
Since it had been many years since I read the novel, I downloaded the audio book version of Dawn. I started listening to it and about 1/3 of the way through, I knew what my design would be. Octavia Butler used such descriptive language that I could ‘see’ the colors and shapes that I wanted to include in the work.
I decided to use a Spirit Portrait figure of Lilith as the focus of the design. I also wanted to use fabrics that represented the regeneration of the Earth after a period of darkness and death.
Design Phase
I sketched out a very basic layout in a studio journal and proceeded to pull fabrics. I alsoresolved that I would ONLY use fabrics from my stash.
I found several mottled fabrics that went from a gray/green into a bright green. These were perfect for the background.
I also had a mottled bright orange/yellow fabric that I felt worked well for the ‘dawn’ that would rise behind the Lilith figure.
Finally, I pulled human spirit figures from an African print and modified those elements to create the Oankali aliens.
Finalizing the Design
I proceeded to build the design using these elements and fabrics. It came together very quickly.
I continued listening to the book and additional design elements emerged for me from the story.
For example, I pulled floral and leaf motif African prints to represent growth and regeneration. I added a fish to Lilith’s figure – fishing for food was a key moment in the story’s plot line.
LILITH’S DAWN
This book is the first in a trilogy. I plan to make at least two more pieces inspired by these books.
Exhibit Details
The Afrofuturism & Quilts exhibition is hosted by the Michigan State University Quilt
Index's Black Diaspora Quilt History Project. The exhibition is on display in the Union
Gallery at Michigan State University (MSU) from April-June 2024. In this exhibition
quiltmakers and quilt scholars explore embodied and theoretical connections between
Afrofuturism and quilt making. Each piece in the exhibition explores aspects of included
quiltmakers’ identities and experiences, as well as their beliefs, hopes, and imaginings
of a liberated Afrofuture. The work of local and national quilt artists are showcased.
Artists include: April Shipp, Dr. Elka Stevens, Janda Lipker & Rebecca Lipker, Carole
Lyles Shaw, Dr. Diana Baird N’Diaye, Chiquita Whitfield and Dr. Liv Furman. This
exhibition is curated by Dr. Liv Furman, with special thanks to Dr. Julian Chambliss.