Generational Talks | Created by Annie Chen from Minneapolis, MN.

Generational Talks

Created by:

Annie Chen from Minneapolis, MN

Exhibit:

Racism: In the Face of Hate We Resist

Artist Statement:

This quilt is inspired by Letters for Black Lives (lettersforblacklives.com), an open letter project on Anti-Blackness. As a second generation Chinese-American by way of Taiwan, the problem of a generational language gap exists in my own family; we do not all have the same native language. Creating a script in the native languages of my extended family helps us have a frank discussion about race. In many Chinese communities, anti-Blackness and colorism are large problems. Creating this work helps me connect with my heritage, as well as learn tools to have meaningful
conversations with my family. It is the duty of non-Black POC to fight the racism that is in our own communities. At the top of the quilt are familial names such as Mom, Dad, Auntie, Grandpa. Embroidery at the bottom says, “We need to talk.” The appliqué on the yellow background is Black Lives Matter.

2020
24" x 20"
Cotton fabric; embroidered, appliquéd, raw edge appliquéd, free motion machine quilted.