Come take a stroll through the world where differences are cherished and kindness flourishes; a world we’d all like to live in; a world envisioned and created by artists and friends Maxine Hess and Jeanne Hewell-Chambers. Meet the artists and be the first to see “Imagine a World.”
Maxine Hess is known for creating fabric collages and related videos, a combination that seeks to create conversation and understanding around themes of injustice and marginalized communities. Jeanne Hewell-Chambers’ art combines storytelling, stitching, and more to expose viewers to under-told stories, including disregarded people who looked, sounded, or seemed different. Both artists are known for creating works which promote change by opening doors for discussion, understanding, and education.
“Imagine a World” will include “The Forest” inspired by Jeanne's sister-in-law, Nancy. Despite a traumatic brain injury Nancy suffered as a child, she was still able to draw images to share her joy with the world. Jeanne used Nancy’s drawings as inspiration to create textiles. “The Forest” will include Nancy’s story along with forest textile art and crocheted trees. Nancy’s birds will be central focal points throughout the gallery.
The “Be Kind” Gallery will include quilts from the “Be Kind Project” and the “70273 Project”. A friendship with Minni Warnke Scott, a Research Analyst at the Nuremberg Doctor Trials, led Maxine to begin what became the “Be Kind Project”. A World War II documentary that mentioned Aktion T4, a Nazi program created specifically to eliminate disabled children and adults, led Jeanne to begin “The 70273 Project”. She decided to commemorate each one of the 70,273 victims with a quilt block – a block made of white fabric representing the medical form and two red X’s symbolizing the sentence that committed all those innocent people to death. Through her efforts the project has collected more than enough blocks to represent the known victims.
“The Shed” will include related videos and interactive elements to complement the exhibit. This area is designed to promote reflection and conversation. Visitors can participate by adding notes of kindness, and making “be kind” birds to add to the exhibit.
The exhibition, “Imagine a World” will be on view at the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum in Carrollton, GA, September 25, 2024 to December 20, 2024.