Together for Good: Caron Tabb and the Quilting Corner

Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
November 17, 2022–March 12, 2023

Photography by Robert Wedemeyer, Skirball Museum, and Mercie Ghimire.
Moodboard by Debi van Zyl

Measuring more than twelve by nine feet, artist Caron Tabb’s striking large-scale quilt, Fabric of Humanity—Repairing My World, was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated feelings of hopelessness and isolation. It is composed of materials collected from the artist’s friends and family around the world and assembled into one, cohesive piece. Anchoring the exhibition, the quilt was displayed alongside an all-ages community quilt-making activity.

The gallery was reprogrammed to take on multiple roles: to exhibit art, to be a living room-like gathering space, and to facilitate quilt-making. Inspired by Caron Tabb’s multimedia quilt, visitors were invited to make a quilting square. Comfortable and functional furniture provided participants a place to rest and observe, as well as to add their own artistry and stories. These squares were then stitched into larger community quilts, now in the Skirball’s collection.