Zaire Songe Mask

This composition, resembling a large mask, fills the surface with no borders, has been machine pieced, and hand quilted with ¼ - ½” spaced lines and echo quilting. Early work by internationally known artist who exhibited her work, was published, and was founder of the art quilt exhibition Quilt National. She was an early teacher and her work is in numerous private and corporate collections.

About the Zaire Songe Mask series: Started in the mid 80's, this series comprises five pieces. Barnes has two in her personal collection. Her inspirations were varied but the art of Africa, particularly masks, had a profound influence on the work. Barnes remembers being struck by the beauty of a Songe (also Songye) mask with scar-like lines. At the time among the art quilt makers, strip-piecing was very popular, and she quickly adopted this method for her Songe series. The fabrics are mostly cottons with a few metallic ones. It was pieced by Barnes and hand quilted by Amish women of Ohio.

Techniques: machine pieced, hand quilted
Culture: American
Geographic Location: North America
Credit Line: Gift of Raymond Wayne Ross