The Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) recently withdrew their Color in Context: Red exhibition from the American Quilter’s Society’s (AQS) 2025 QuiltWeek shows over AQS censorship. This has sparked widespread discussion in the quilting community.
Color in Context: Red is one of SAQA’s global exhibitions and has previously traveled to Australia and Houston, Texas. It was scheduled to appear in five states—Florida, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—during AQS’s 2025 QuiltWeek events. However, before the tour could begin, AQS informed SAQA that two works, Origin by Yvonne Iten-Scott and Your Mother, Your Daughter. Your Sister. Your Grandmother. You, by Laura Shaw, would be removed. In response, SAQA chose to withdraw the entire exhibition. Read SAQA’s statement.
Quilting and Textile Art as Social Commentary
This AQS censorship controversy highlights the long history of quilting as a form of social and political commentary. For centuries, quilts have been more than decorative objects—they have told stories, documented history, and challenged societal norms.
During the 19th century, abolitionist women created anti-slavery quilts, some embedding coded messages for the Underground Railroad. Others were used for fundraising. Examples are those sold by the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society. These quilts featured abolitionist imagery and poetry to support the cause.
Contemporary artists continue this tradition, using fiber art to address gender, race, and social justice. Bisa Butler, for example, creates striking, life-sized quilted portraits that celebrate Black identity and history. Faith Ringgold is known for her story quilts.
The 2024 exhibition Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art at London’s Barbican Centre further reinforced the powerful voice of textiles in contemporary art. The exhibition featured over 100 works by 50 international artists. Unravel underscored how textiles challenge power structures, convey political messages, and reimagine societal narratives. The exhibition demonstrated that artists harness fabric’s tactile and symbolic power to engage with pressing issues.
The Future of Fiber Art in Activism
Curators predict that fiber art will play an even bigger role in 2025. They expect more artists to use textiles to push boundaries, tell compelling stories, and engage with urgent social and environmental issues.
Moreover, exhibitions like Creative Women of the Finger Lakes: Art and Craftivism currently on view at the National Women’s Hall of Fame until March 2025 confirms the role fiber art continues to play in this regard. This exhibit showcases the work of women artists and craftivists from the Finger Lakes region of New York. The exhibit often highlights themes of social activism and personal expression. These trends suggest that fiber art will continue to be a major force in contemporary activism.
Ongoing Discussions After AQS Censorship
Ultimately, the AQS censorship of Color in Context: Red has reignited conversations about artistic freedom in quilting and textile art. Many quilters see their work as both personal expression and historical documentation. Thus raising questions about who decides what is acceptable in the art world.
As textile art evolves, debates over censorship and creative boundaries will likely remain a significant part of it. Artists, curators, and audiences will continue to grapple with the balance between artistic freedom and institutional control, shaping the future of quilting and textile art.
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Brava SAQA. I stand with your statement.
Hello
I just heard about this censorship and the uniting of the rest of the artists to no longer have this show there. Incredible! Makes me so proud to see artists sticking together, what an incredible impact.
If you are ever looking for a gallery, the United Community Arts in Manitoba Canada would be honoured to show this work. We are a rural location but show art all the time and it would be amazing to have a show like this.
Anyway keep doing amazing work.
Pamela