I am my Brother’s Keeper

Carolyn Mazloomi, I am my Brother's Keeper, 2016, cotton, India ink, textile paint, cotton thread, and cotton batt, 73 × 61 in. (185.4 × 154.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi, 2023.20.1, © 2024, Carolyn L. Mazloomi

Artwork Details

Title
I am my Brother’s Keeper
Date
2016
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
73 × 61 in. (185.4 × 154.9 cm)
Copyright
© 2024, Carolyn L. Mazloomi
Credit Line
Gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi
Mediums Description
cotton, India ink, textile paint, cotton thread, and cotton batt
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
2023.20.1

Artwork Description

Carolyn Mazloomi taught herself to quilt in the 1980s. Her quilts often narrate the strength of family in its many expressions. I am my Brother’s Keeper depicts the artist’s young grandchildren. 

As Mazloomi sewed her own story quilts, she also tirelessly expanded the universe of African American quiltmaking. In 1985 she founded the Women of Color Quilters Network to convene and support thousands of fiber artists. Together, Mazloomi’s art and scholarship illuminate the diversity, spirit, and ingenuity of the American quilting tradition. 

Works by this artist (2 items)

Carolyn Mazloomi, The Family Embraces, 1997, machine reverse appliqued, hand-stitched, and quilted cotton, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2002.20
The Family Embraces
Date1997
machine reverse appliqued, hand-stitched, and quilted cotton
Not on view
Carolyn Mazloomi, I am my Brother's Keeper, 2016, cotton, India ink, textile paint, cotton thread, and cotton batt, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi, 2023.20.1, © 2024, Carolyn L. Mazloomi
I am my Brother’s Keeper
Date2016
cotton, India ink, textile paint, cotton thread, and cotton batt
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Lauren Austin, Day Garden, 2019, commercial cotton fabric, beads, hand dyed by artist fabric, textile paint, and ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Carolyn L. Mazloomi, 2023.20.3, © 2019, Lauren A. Austin
Day Garden
Date2019
commercial cotton fabric, beads, hand dyed by artist fabric, textile paint, and ink
On view