Kimani Johnson

Meet Me at the Chapel, 2024

Cotton, Batting & Thread

46 × 54

USING THE TRADITIONAL CATHEDRAL WINDOW QUILT PATTERN, MEET ME AT THE CHAPEL REFLECTS ON THE HISTORY OF WEDDING QUILTS AND THE RITUALS OF MARRIAGE. CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THE RELATIVELY RECENT LEGALIZATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE WORK CONSIDERS HOW IDEAS OF LOVE, COMMITMENT, AND FAMILY CONTINUE TO BE SHAPED BY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEBATE. THROUGH QUILTING-A MEDIUM DEEPLY ROOTED IN CARE, TRADITION, AND STORYTELLING-THE ARTIST EXAMINES THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD EQUALITY WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE BIASES THAT STILL INFLUENCE IDENTITY AND BELONGING.