We Are All Homosapiens | Created by Susi Ryan from Worcester, MA.

We Are All Homosapiens

Created by:

Susi Ryan from Worcester, MA

Exhibit:

Racism: In the Face of Hate We Resist

Artist Statement:

This quilt honors three medical doctors who consistently fought against racism in America.

The left panel is a tribute to Doctor Susan Laflesche Picotte, historically known as the first Native American to earn a medical degree. The background fabric looks like a river to reflect a translation of Omaha, “against the current.” The teepee represents Picotte’s Omaha tribal roots. Dr. Picotte chose to practice within the Omaha nation, helping people of all colors, rather than practicing medicine in a large city. The turkey feathers represent the medical healing powers of the sun.

The middle panel honors an African American doctor, Charles R. Drew, a surgeon and medical researcher. His studies in the field of blood transfusions have saved the lives of many. However, he left work at the American Red Cross Blood Bank because blood was then being segregated by race. Droplets of Black and white peoples’ blood are equally red.

The third panel honors African American doctor Daniel Hale Williams, the first person to perform a successful open-heart pericardial surgery. The red heart with green fabric woven through it symbolizes the stitches of his success. He also founded the first non-segregated hospital in the United States, Provident Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

2018
44" x 52"
Batik and African wax cotton fabrics, strip pieced red appliqué symbols; hand and machine quilted.