Artist Statement

As a dynamic art quilter and Certified National Storyteller, I weave narratives through the artistry of fabric and performance. My creative process is an innovative alchemy, transforming materials into narratives that engage the senses and intellect alike. My artworks, be they art quilts, abstracts, or panels, are intricate tapestries featuring musical notes, adinkra symbols, feathers, beads, and diverse prints and patterns on mediums like denim and 2D surfaces. These pieces are crafted from paper, traditional African or cotton fabrics, all set against backdrops of canvas or wood panels.

Embarking on a 21-day creative journey, I enter a state of deep focus to conceive and frame my pieces. Revealing the layout, I meticulously choose prints, patterns, and threads to weave my textiles. My artistic expression is diverse, including black outline drawings, digital designs, photographic elements, and crayon sketches on poster board, all converging through the meditative act of sewing—whether by machine or hand—on paper, canvas, or cotton.

This process is a tranquil pilgrimage, guiding my hands to tell a story—a narrative of my ancestors' odyssey to and within America. The exhibition was crafted to enlighten all ages about the journey of the enslaved in their quest for freedom within America. The creation of such textiles, embedded with stories, can span months from inception to exhibition. They are not merely decorative but are vessels carrying the legacy of African-Americans, designed to engage, enlighten, and educate onlookers about their rich history. 

My work is an educational journey, a tribute to the African-American experience, which I am privileged to share through my art and storytelling. My inaugural solo exhibition was more than a display; it was a historical landscape, with textiles hanging on clotheslines stretched between posts, framed by burlap, buckets, and concrete—each element a chapter in the pursuit of freedom.

The essence of my artistic hope is encapsulated in this reflection: "Words may not always penetrate the heart, but the language of art bypasses barriers, inviting connection and understanding." - Art by .E Lewis 2022. This is the impact I aspire to make—art as a bridge to history, emotion, and shared human experience.