| The Jazz Poet is a conglomeration of whispers from the other side. I borrowed certain aspects of Langston’s personality so that the reproduction of his image would reflect youth, wisdom, charm, humor, spirituality and sensitivity. As I finished embroidering the Narrative Block, I had much more to say about him. It seemed fitting, therefore, to allow the needle to remain in the quilt. Cotton, velvet, taffeta, leather and synthetic fabrics, applique, stumpwork, hand and machine embroidery, machine quilting, water color, acrylic paint, buttons, sequins, ribbon. 55" x 55". 2002. Digital Image: Bill Dutkovic |
| This quilt, The Jazz Poet, was created for the Children's Defense Fund to celebrate Langston Hughes' gifts as poet and children's author. The Children’s Defense Fund (founded by Marian Wright Edleman) is located on the former Alex Haley farm in Clinton, Tennessee. The CDF’s Langston Hughes Library is a private, non-circulating, 5,000-volume reference collection and reading room, dedicated in March 1999. In August 2002, the CDF honored the life and writings of Mr. Hughes with a national celebration. |
| The Jazz Poet was made possible through the generous contribution of The Surdna Foundation. |
| Suggested Reading: The Block, Collage by Romare Bearden, Poems by Langston Hughes The Dream Keeper and Other Poems by Langston Hughes The Langston Hughes Reader, Selected Writings of Langston Hughes Popo and Fifina Arna Bontemps & Langston Hughes The Sweet and Sour Animal Book by Langston Hughes |
| For Listening: Weary Blues Langston Hughes With Charles Mingus and Leonard Feather |
| . . .dig, and be dug in return. Langston Hughes |
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