Explore Black History

2009

Artists' statement:
The Blue Print features the key factors to unravel the mysteries of life. It is a culmination of divinely inspired ideas mixed with experience and understanding to show all the viewers a depiction of things that made you say… hmmm. With this perspective, you can see the journey of a hospice volunteer.
In the top left corner, we have people from many different nations, customs and cultures. They’re all going through the same cycle of life while sharing different perspectives. The lower left corner represents the turbulence. Whenever there is a difference in perceptions, there’s bound to be conflict. Conflict managed properly, however, allows us to appreciate the compassionate and humble spirit that lives in us all. The lower right corner displays the hands washing the feet. Peace that dwells from within and illuminates for all to feel. Life is a balance, so without the clowns, you couldn’t find or enjoy the gratification of peace.
The center of this universe – oops! - I meant YOU-IN-A-VERSE, is stretching out and learning from each phrase. What good is it to learn and not share? Therefore, the history of hospice is recorded and sent to the four corners of the world. – Harun Sharif-El

A quilt (a) with bag (b) titled “The Blue Print” created by Lawrence Jenkins, Allen Nguyen, Harun Sharif-El, and Gary Tyler, prisoner-volunteers of the hospice center within Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly called “Angola." The quilt is done mostly in shades of blue, with multicolored suns in each corner. A different design appears in each quadrant, separated by undulating borders of black with purple triangles that merge in the center to form a colorful spiral design.
The design in the top left features a rainbow band of figures in a figure-eight design in the center. The surrounding area has the same design of rows of figures standing arm-to-arm, but in neutral shades of black, grey, and taupe.
The design in the top right quadrant has a background of blue and white triangles in a pinwheel design, and is divided into two sections via a thin, solid white line. In the top section is a small, rectangular stars and stripes design against a black background. Four blue and red stars appear in the upper left corner of the black rectangle, with five black and white “stripes” or “bars” appearing across the rest of the rectangle. Faces from a clown printed fabric peek from between the bars/stripes. The lower section has a rectangular inset design featuring a bright yellow dove appearing over a black and white city skyline, both surrounded by irregular-shaped pieces of fabric in multiple shades of blue, for a mosaic effect. Fabric letters spell out “Peace to All.”
Arranged vertically in the lower right section is an abstract gold and black design against a field of dark blue fabric. The blue fabric is interspersed with rectangular bars of a neutral taupe and grey plaid and dark blue floral squares. The quilt stitching in this quadrant is done in concentric circles. Most of the circles are smaller and have only two rings, though one large circle has a concentric spiral design, and one has a sun design.
The bottom left quadrant is quilted in diagonal rows of blocks with a four-pointed star design. The design utilizes four fabrics: navy, with multi-colored polka dots; an indigo blue with a speckled dot design, a mottled blue-grey, and an abstract, watercolor-like design in pastel shades of blue, red, yellow, green and orange. Each row of blocks uses two of the four fabrics in a different configuration. It is quilted using the same design of concentric circles as the bottom right quadrant.
The back of the quilt is blue. The thread used is yellow. The quilt is in a handsewn fabric bag (b). The bag is tan and has two brown straps. It has two black buttons.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Textiles and Quilts

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lori Waselchuk

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2018.54.1ab

quilts

Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

cotton and linen with batting and thread

H x W x D (2018.54.1a): 58 × 69 × 1/4 in. (147.3 × 175.3 × 0.6 cm)
H x W (2018.54.1b): 25 9/16 × 26 in. (65 × 66 cm)

Title • The Blue Print

nmaahc_2018.54.1ab

NMAAHC

THE BLUE PRINT

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

2000s

Nguyen, Allen • Sharif-El, Harun • Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola • Tyler, Gary • Jenkins, Lawrence

West Feliciana Parish • United States • North and Central America • Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola

Design • Prisons • Art • Funeral rites and ceremonies • Health • Craftsmanship

Locale • Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola • County • West Feliciana Parish • State • Louisiana • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible