A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories: Amazon.ca: Roland L. Freeman: Books

Product Description

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This wonderful book is the culmination of a quarter of a century of work by photographer Roland L. Freeman, documenting black quilting practices throughout America. Freeman came by his love of quilts as a boy growing up in Baltimore in the 1940s, when he was fascinated by a "healing quilt" that had been made by his great-great-grandmother. That childhood interest led to this book -- nearly 400 pages of profiles of quiltmakers and color photographs of their quilts, in a stunning examination of quilts as objects of art, symbols of heritage and, of course, something to keep you warm.

Book Description

A Communion of the Spirits represents the first national survey of African-American quiltmakers. It is also a personal record of how Roland L. Freemans life has intertwined with the world of quiltmaking for almost sixty years--as an African-American male; as a child who was deeply influenced by the cultural traditions and magical powers of quilts; and, for more than three decades, as a photographer and folklorist.

Included are the fascinating stories of a remarkable range of individuals, old and young, women and men, including Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Alice Walker, Nikki Giovanni, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Faith Ringgold.

Organized chronologically, the book begins with Freemans childhood years in the 1940s. Quilts were special, even magical to me, he says. They could heal and they could curse; they could capture history and affect the future; they could transform pain to celebration.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Pieces of Fine Work, May 25 2004

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grasshopper4 (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories (Hardcover)

This book thoroughly documents quilting and quilt makers from across the USA. Roland Freeman tells the story of the quilt makers largely through his spectacular photographs. He includes unknown but highly talented artists as well as celebrities who also quilt. The photographs are accompanied with stories from the artists, and these narratives provide a terrific base for understanding why this folk art retains its vibrancy in the 21st century. In many ways, Freeman's photography and writing can also be understood as part of the artistic fabric that he stitches together.

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, Sep 23 2002

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thesavvybamalady "swblkdiamond" (Prichard, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. You meet famous and not so famous people in this book. Some you will never forget like Hystercine Rankin, who made a quilt of her fathers killing in Mississippi, when she was only ten.She eventually won a $5000 prize for it. Or how the author talks about his family and the "healing quilt" and his lifelong affinity of quilts. The stories in here are good, and the quilts are out of this world. One of the best oral African American history books out there.

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5.0 out of 5 stars History, heritage and creativity combined in one, Oct 14 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories (Hardcover)

Influenced by his love of quilts, photographer Roland Freeman acts as anthrolopologist and quilting historian in this beautiful, comprehensive book. Featuring full color photos of African-American quilts and quilters and well-researched text, this book is a must-read even for non-quilting enthusiasts. The history and cultural heritage of a people have been preserved in this beautiful artform. I found myself moved after reading this book. You will be too.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME! Breathtakingly beautiful quilts and warm stories
This book is truly awesome. Although I have almost every quiltmaking book in print, the photos here are of the most unique and breathtakingly beautiful I've ever seen. Read more

Published on July 18 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars A Communion of The Spirits is inspiring!
African-American Quilters, Preservers and Their Stories represents the first national survey & a personal record of how this photographer & folkorist's life has... Read more

Published on Dec 31 2000 by Rebecca Brown