culture
Inventive, that's what.
Marie "Big Mama" Roseman, surely was. Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art is honoring Marie and her innovative quilts which are rife with stitchery magic in an exhibit through September 2.
"Revelation! The Quilts of Marie "Big Mama" Roseman" is curated by Martha Watterson and Doug Stock.
Roseman (1898-2004) lived in Benton Harbor MI from 1947 on 
although she was born in Mississippi. She was of African American, European and Native American ancestry and was a Native American healer and herbalist as were her father and grandfather. She made quilts for many years, although her particular style of using a myriad of materials she found just lying around began much later when she was in her 70s. In thirty years' time she produced hundreds of works, incorporating embroidery, three dimensional items of all kinds, and even dolls into her quilts. most of which, sadly were lost when her home was flooded.
During her life in Benton Harbor the town was filled with racial strife for decades. This may have contributed to her reclusive nature since she rarely left home; however her prodigous output of quilts testifies to her commitment to what has now been recognized as a unique art form. Traditional quilts, although not lacking in workmanship are often variations on familiar designs and Marie Roseman was way ahead of these quilters.
Don't miss this opportunity to see an unusual body of work.
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art is at 756 N. Milwaukee Av., (just south of Chicago Av.) Access www.art.org for additional info about the exhibit or this edgy arts organization. Tuesdays through Saturdays 11-5, Thursdays 11-7:30.
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