Carla Hemlock

Carla Hemlock

9/1/2022

QSOS-207

video

Carla Hemlock

Gwen Westerman

Virtual interview

Meredith Ahmed

5.4 Carla Hemlock QSOS-207 00:00:00 Quilt Alliance quiltalliance Carla Hemlock Gwen Westerman 0 https://youtu.be/i3r1yDoxSN4?si=wNosG1cAWzNGwc4w YouTube video &lt ; iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3r1yDoxSN4?si=wNosG1cAWzNGwc4w" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer ; autoplay ; clipboard-write ; encrypted-media ; gyroscope ; picture-in-picture ; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen&gt ; &lt ; /iframe&gt ; 0 Touchstone Quilt [Westerman]: My name is Gwen Westerman for the Q.S.O.S Oral History Project Gwen Westerman is interviewing Carla Hemlock. Hemlock's touchstone quilt named, 'Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors' was made for one of her children, around the year 2000. She notes that she had to ask to borrow this quilt because she doesn't have many of her quilts. The quilt includes symbolism from the Haudenosaunee creation story. The center of the quilt has a turtle, with a photo transfer of a painting her husband made. Fabric selection ; Family ; Quiltmaking for family Artists ; Quilts--United States ; Native American quiltmakers 0 153 Beginning to quilt [Westerman]: How did you get into quilt making? Hemlock states that in her Indigenous community, Kahnawake Mohawk, handmade items are the norm when gift-giving. Quilts, woodworking, and beadwork are common crafts in her community. Hemlock herself gravitated towards sewing and beading. Hemlock's early quilts were utilitarian, made for her children or as gifts. She began beading on quilts around 25 years ago. Her beading began after she made a quilt for a baby shower, and one of her children drew on the quilt with a pen, so she beaded over the penmarks. Beads ; Family ; Quilt purpose - Bedcovering ; Quilt purpose - Gift or presentation ; Quiltmaking for family ; Native American quilts 0 316 Design process [Westerman]: Is there a process you use to design? [Hemlock]: Actually, No Hemlock states that her process of designing is that she thinks about something sometimes for around a year. She states she works from the 'outside, in' and does not sketch, design, or plan her work. She states that her work just evolves from just trying something. This style of work is applicable when creating quilts, beading, and cradleboards. Beads ; Design process 0 444 Sustainability in quilting [Westerman]: How do sustainability and the environment influence your work? Hemlock states that sustainability and the environment impact her work because she wants to address issues such as land displacement, land rights, and the environment. She states that it is easiest to express these issues through quiltmaking because they are hard subjects to engage in. People are more likely to engage in these subjects through the quilt medium because quilts evoke comfort. She notes that she has gotten negative feedback regarding a quilt she made about fracking. She expands on the story behind her quilt, 'We Remain Haudenosaunee' that addressed the displacement of Indigenous people. Art quilts ; Quilt design ; Quilt purpose - Activism/Awareness ; Quilt purpose - Storytelling Quilting ; Quilts--United States 0 775 Indigenous identity in quiltmaking [Westerman]: Do you ever incorporate Haudenosaunee language in your quilts? Hemlock states that her quilt 'Kahwa:tsire' was the first art installation she did with a quilt, and has been acquired by the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art. She explains that Kahwa:tsire in the Haudenosaunee language defines who they are as a people. The quilt depicts Iroquois pottery and beadwork. Using the Haudenosaunee language and pottery, both that date pre-contact was important for Hemlock. Pictorial quilts ; Quilt design ; Quilt purpose - Activism/Awareness ; Quiltmaking inspiration ; Quilt purpose - Storytelling Quilting 0 939 Haudenosaunee cultural influences in quiltmaking [Westerman]: You've talked a lot about issues of land, and how that influences the work that you do. What do you think is the importance and meaning of the quilts you make in contemporary Haudenosaunee culture, or in the broader culture of North America? Hemlock when designing a quilt, begins with thinking about an issue. She notes that she sometimes makes quilts for her people, meaning that a regular viewer and a Haudenosaunee person would have a different perception of the meaning of the quilt based on the symbolism. Quilt purpose - Art or personal expression ; Female quiltmakers 0 1131 What makes a quilt meaningful [Westerman]: So we have talked a little bit about history, we've talked about design, and interaction. What makes a quilt you design meaningful for you? Hemlock states that a meaningful quilt is when someone learns something from her quilts. She talks about an interaction she had regarding a quilt she made addressing the Washington Redskins NFL team and the impacts of that team name. Westerman discusses the impact of utilitarian quilts and the stories they carry in Indigenous households. Hemlock states that she has been to several quilt shows, and she loves to see the artistry on display. Hemlock loves the stories, imagination, and innovation of quilts. Design process ; Quilt design ; Quilt purpose - Activism/Awareness ; Quilt purpose - Cultural Education ; Quilt shows/exhibitions Art quilts 0 1439 Fabric choice [Westerman]: Do you have favorite fabrics or kinds of fabrics? [Hemlock]: I wouldn't say favorite. Hemlock states that she likes to work with fabric that has very little print and gravitates to tonal fabrics rather than bold fabrics. She has no preference for a specific brand or designer. She has made a quilt made of wool, titled 'Our Destruction' which was inspired by Inuit quiltmakers in Northern Canada. Fabric - Solid/plain ; Fabric selection ; Fabric choice ; Fiber - Wool Wool quilts 0 1603 Advice to beginner quiltmakers [Westerman]: What would you say to other people out there who think "Oh, I could never make a quilt'. Hemlock states in response to people asking her how to start quilting to start small, with projects such as a baby quilt or placemat. Hemlock states that it is best if you don't follow a pattern, and do your own thing. Learning quiltmaking ; Children's quilts ; Quilt patterns 0 video 0 https://quiltalliance.net/ohms-viewer-master/render.php?cachefile=