QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-6676

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

16.0006

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2016:11.1

Essay:

Ubuntu is a Southern African philosophy which states, 'I am because you are.' It encompasses the human virtues of compassion and humanity, which are exemplified by Leah and Desmond Tutu's life mission. When contemplating the word Ubuntu, the synergy and connection between the Tutus and Ubuntu became very apparent to me - and so it befitted that the two be merged and hence 'ubuntutu'.

Benny Gool's photograph of the Tutus was the perfect focal point for my quilt. I used a photo transfer technique to print the images of the hands and faces onto different individual pieces of fabric, this carried over to the theme of squares throughout the quilt.

The rainbow over the Tutus was made with African fabrics. It is a tribute to all the people of South African 'Rainbow Nation', a phrase coined by Archbishop Tutu to describe post-apartheid South Africa. I also used the rainbow colours as highlights in the head wrap and clothing to further connect the Tutus with the 'Rainbow Nation'>

A large portion of the quilt uses liturgical colours, such as purple, violet, rose and pink, representing Archbishop Tutu's devotion to the clergy.*

I grew up in Australia. Although I did not start making quilts until age 43. I loved sewing from an early age. My grandmother was a tailor/dressmaker and my mother made all my clothes - which were the envy of all. I have lived in Italy, Belgium, Thailand and South Africa. While living in Bangkok I belonged to the Bangkok Quilt Group and the Nichada Quilt Group. In Cape Town I belong to the Cape Quilters Guild, the Good Hope Quilters Guild, and the FACT - Fibre Artist Cape Town Group.

*Photographer Benny Gool gave Diana Vandeyar his permission to use his photo in this quilt.


From MacDowell, Marsha and Brown, Aleia; Ubuntutu: Life Legacies of Love and Action: Quilt Tributes to Desmond and Leah Tutu by South African and American artists, Michigan State University Museum and Women of Color Quilters Network, 2016, page 67.

Quilt's title:

Ubuntutu

Subject of the quilt:

Archibishop Desmond Tutu

When was the form filled out?

5/31/2016

Quilt top made by:

Vandeyar, Diana

Quilted by:

Vandeyar, Diana

Describe the relationship to the quilt's maker:

Museum employee

Where the quilt was made, city:

Cape Town

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Time period:

2000-2025

When was the quilt finished?

2016

Why was the quilt made?

Art or personal expression; Commemorative

Details about why the quilt was made:

The title combines the term Ubuntu, which is a South African philosophy and phrase which translates as "human kindness" or "human-ness", combined with the name Tutu, to form "Ubuntutu". This quilt was made for the traveling exhibition MSU Museum organized to honor Archbishop Desmond Tutu, which is titled after this quilt. The quilter made the quilt in Oakton, Virginia

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

30"

How long is the quilt?

29 1/2"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Overall color scheme:

Multicolor

Quilt's condition:

Excellent/like new

Type of inscription:

Message

What is inscribed on the quilt?

ubuntutu

Describe the quilt's layout:

Medallion or framed center

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

How are the layers held together?

Machine quilting

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Original to maker

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

Ubuntutu: Life Legacies of Love and Action, was displayed at the Nelson Mandela Gateway Museum, Cape Town, South Africa from October 3 - November 2016; and Stellenbosch University Museum, Stellenbosch, South Africa, November 24, 2016 - February 28, 2017.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public Museum, Library, or Institution

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Purchase

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

Michigan State University Museum