Size: 52.5 in × 52.5 in

Materials: Cotton fabric

Techniques: Improvisational piecing

Piecing: Constructed from fragments of previous works and design studies, assembled intuitively

Quilting: To be completed

Backing / Binding: To be determined

Fragments of the Past is built from pieces of earlier quilts and small design studies pulled from different moments in my quilting journey. The color-dense center is made from those fragments, representing accumulated experience, memory, and ideas carried forward.

As the composition moves outward, the shift into greys and the final black border reflects how easily past work can become a constraint. Artists are often defined by a single style, and when that style evolves or changes, the new work is frequently judged against what came before. That pressure can feel limiting, as if growth is measured by comparison rather than curiosity.

This quilt is a reminder to myself that the past should inform my work, not trap it. Growth comes from carrying earlier fragments forward while still allowing space for change, risk, and new direction. The work acknowledges where I have been, while intentionally pushing against the expectation that I must remain there.

This quilt began without a fixed plan. The center was built by pulling fragments from older projects and unfinished design studies, allowing each piece to carry its own history into the composition. Some fragments were used as-is, while others were cut down, reoriented, or partially obscured to create new relationships.

Once the center was established, the surrounding greys were added intentionally and methodically, shifting the visual energy outward and creating a sense of compression around the color. The final black border was introduced last, acting as both a boundary and a pause—reinforcing the idea of containment while also bringing clarity to the overall structure.

While making this piece, I kept thinking about artists who become known for a single visual language, and how that style often becomes what is expected of them. When those artists shift, experiment, or move in a new direction, their work is frequently judged against what came before rather than allowed to stand on its own. This quilt reflects that tension. It acknowledges the influence of past work while pushing back against the idea that growth should be constrained by familiarity.