"Through this exhibition I express my feelings and impressions of West African people in their everyday lives. Each piece tells a story showing the strength of family and community. My choice of textiles as a medium suggests an intimacy and softness, while expressing the sparkle and joy of the people. My drawings are based on photographs I took while living in Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin. These colored pencil illustrations were printed on fabric using the latest digital technology, and then quilted with hundreds of colored threads.
The juxtaposition of the decorative patterned background combined with the photo-realistic drawing of the people creates a feeling of warmth and jubilation. The quilts sing “Africa” because fabrics play such an important role in the people’s lives.
My goal for this exhibition is to encourage intercultural understanding and educate viewers about this region of Africa." --Hollis Chatelain
Hollis Chatelain - Beautiful Wanderer