Museum / Exhibits / Invitation: Quilt of Belonging

Invitation: The Quilt of Belonging
September 25th, 2005 - January 8th, 2006
Level 2 of the Museum

Invitation: The Quilt of Belonging began with the dream of one artist, Esther Bryan. And, from a small seed in a tiny village, it grew to include hundreds of volunteers and today it reaches thousands across the country.

Born out of recognition that the Canadian fabric is a mosaic composed of Aboriginal peoples and of immigrants from every nation in the world, Esther Bryan set about recognizing this cultural fabric in a way that was visually meangingful for all that experienced it. Bryan's vision was one which included interpretations of all cultural groups and their experiences, stories and values. Each of them has a unique cultural beauty that enhances our national identity. For this reason, Invitation was planned as a community art project. Participants from across Canada were 'invited' to contribute their talents and visions, reflected through the prism of their cultural backgrounds.

The Invitation Project's magnificent Quilt of Belonging is the largest collaborative work of textile art to be created on a national scale. With 263 squares representing 71 Aboroginal groups and 192 immimgrant nationalities found in Canada, the Quilt will prove a lasting testimony to this country's multicultural heritage and identity.

Photograph: Canadian Museum of Civilization

For this landmark project, each group was invited to produce a handmade block featuring textiles and symbols that represent its unique contribution to the Canadian fabric. A small samping of the media employed by the artists include abalone shells, amber from Lithuania, bobbin lace, a brooch from Poland, smoked Caribou hide, English wool, kente cloth from Ghana, porcupine quills, sealskin, 200-year-old German linen and worry dolls from Guatemala.

Grand in size and purpose, the finished quilt measures 36 meatres (120 feet) long by 3.5 metres (10 feet0 high. In the words of creator Esther Bryan: "Our vision was to create a collaborative work of art that will recognize Canada's and the world's diversity, celebrate our common humanity and promote harmony and compassion among people."