Qu i l t s
NATIONAL HERO Marcus Garvey said: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
These words mean a lot to attorney-at-law Donnette Cooper, who on Saturday (September 24) saw one of her dreams come true – the opening of the Museum of Afro American History and Culture, in Washington, DC.
In 2001 when then United States President George Bush convened a commission to explore the feasibility of the museum (signed into law in 2003), Cooper was the first to lend tangible support.
“When I came to Washington, DC, to attend Howard University School of Law, one of the benefits I experienced was the rich artistic, cultural and living heritage of the Smithsonian Institution,” she said.
“As I explored the museums, I soon became aware of two necessary pillars of the American experience that were missing: the American Indian and the African American. How could the American story be told without these voices? Having complained so bitterly and watched the process fairly closely, I felt compelled to put my money where my mouth was. That very December, as I made my customary donation to the National Museum of African Art, I also made a donation to the museum that was to be.”
Why so passionate? She told Outlook: “It is imperative that the lions tell their own stories. Our narratives define who we are, and what we believe about ourselves defines who we can become. It is also important for others to know the whole story and understand their relative place in history.”
STORIES OF THE QUILT
Cooper tells part of ‘the whole story’ through her quilts. “The quilts that I make are designed not just for visual impact but to tell stories and convey messages.”
She was introduced to sewing at an early age by her maternal grandmother, May Lyons. “One of my first jobs was threading her needles as her eyesight began to fade,” Cooper recalled. “I was also influenced by my father, Daniel George Cooper, a bespoke tailor of exceptional talent. I enjoyed watching him build a suit. I was intrigued by the tools of the trade, especially that awesome goose iron that devoured hot coals; and I was greatly impressed by his intensity, dedication and artistic flair.”
Cooper later experimented with textile art, exploring tie-dye and batik at St Hugh’s High School, later expanding her knowledge and skills under the tutelage of