“Of Thee I Sing, Baby” quilt cape

Born in 1912, Virginia Avery became a pioneer of the late twentieth century quilting revival, helping to spur quilting’s resurgence and growth into a craft that millions now practice across the United States. Along with being an accomplished quilter, Avery was a jazz pianist, and that sense of free form motion seems to have informed the lively and vibrant style of her art quilts and patchwork clothing.

Though she grew up in a town south of Indianapolis, in Of Thee I Sing, Avery pays homage to American ideals with a playful treatment of icons of New York City. Evoking jazz and Times Square, the bustling composition engages the viewer’s sense of sound as much as sight. Avery’s vision of American identity enshrines “Peace,” “Love,” and “Joy” alongside “Liberty,” “Justice,” and “Freedom.” With a tranquil sky full of fireworks above the political images that jostle for predominance in the center of the cape, Of Thee I Sing expresses optimism at Americans’ ability to overcome strife and live up to each one of these ideals.

Technique: machine pieced, machine quilted, painted, embellished,
Culture: American
Geographic Location: North America, New York
Credit Line: Gift of Judith Avery