I realized, while planning this piece that all of my ancestors crossed the plains as Mormon Pioneers. If any historical event defines who I am today it would have to be that westward migration of those 69 individuals. I thought it was 71 for awhile before noticing that one the branches crossed another.
Over the years I have mentioned to several students that quilting would be a good way to reference pioneer craft in contemporary art. I finally realized that these comments were always directed toward females and that if I felt it would be a relevent concept that I should do some quilting of my own. I can still be a man grinding metal and pounding on rocks, even though I sew.
