Bearden

Quilting Time, 1981, is a traditional quilting scene between two African American females.  The two individuals could be making the quilt for profit purposes to support the family or for just personal use.  The theme of poverty strikes me because of the atmosphere of the room.  The room seems small and rugged, little furniture is present and the furniture that is does not seem to be much of worth.  There is little light from the one lit lamp in the background.  The two females seem to be wearing old clothes, especially the one of the right who is wearing what seem to be a torn apron, a head wrap, and rags for clothes.  The colors are deceiving considering my interpretation of the theme.  Happy, bright yellows, light blues, and red-yellows are seen in the quilt, around the windows, and back wall.  On the other hand, the woman on the left is in dark garments, the picture framed on the back wall seems eerie and mysterious, and there seems to be a dark shadowing centering on the two women.  I am not quite sure what to make of the diverse color tones, but if my interpretation is correct on the theme of poverty, I would agree with Bearden’s choice to make the quilt and outside bright colors and the women darker colors.  To explain, the women of poverty are sad and deprived hence the dark colors and the quilt is for sale which goes to the wealthy ‘white’ society outside.

Regardless of my critique, I really love the image being portrayed, the use of color, and the hints of detail Bearden includes to suggest to the reader of the two women's lifestyle.