Making Memory Cloths with Leslee Nelson

Leslee Nelson uses perhaps the most intimate art medium of all: Cloth Quilts that hug us. Napkins that dab our lips. Handkerchiefs that collect our tears.Textiles with memories serve as the canvas for Madison artist Nelson, who is displaying 30 years’ worth of work during her solo show  “Making Memory Cloths” running from March 4-27 at the Prairie Arts Center Gallery in Princeton.  On March 5 from 1:00 – 3:00, Nelson also will sit down at our gallery table and invite anyone to make a “memory cloth” — a piece of handiwork that, through the meditative process of embroidery, helps stitch together the past.“Whenever I have an exhibit and I’m there, people start telling me their stories and saying, ‘I wish I could do that.’ And I say, ‘Well, of course you can. Go ahead,’” Nelson said of her memory cloths.

Nelson’s retrospective at the Prairie Arts Gallery will include a broad range of work, from pieces incorporating hand-me-down quilt squares to multi-layered charm dolls and large, complex hangings made from Japanese Gampi paper. But the conversation pieces, literally, are her memory cloths, sparked by an exhibit she saw in 2005 titled “The Art of War.” Featured were memory cloths from South Africa: brightly colored fabrics embroidered with images from the maker’s memory. Next to them hung the text of the stories behind the memories — experiences left out of the official record of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “They talked about how part of (the process of memory cloths) was the making of it, and part of it was putting it on the wall until it no longer triggered a response,” she said. “They were so delighted that I had fallen in love with their process and was doing it here, too.”

 There will be a reception for Ms. Nelson on Friday, March 4 from 6-8 pm at the Prairie Arts Center Gallery where she will give a brief introduction of the history of how these beautiful treasures came together.  Also during her retrospective at the Prairie Arts Center Gallery, Nelson invites anyone to stop by between 1-3pm on Saturday, March 5 to make their own memory cloth, free to anyone.  She will have supplies available, but participants can choose to bring their own memory-imbued cloth, such as a table napkin or handkerchief.  It is recommended that you sign up at the reception for this class, or call the center to reserve a  place in the class.