As long as human beings have been wearing clothes and living in communities, there has been a desire to design and embellish our outerwear and our homes in ways that distinguish us from the status quo. There was a time when it was the finest fabrics like silk and brocade that made the wearer stand out from the crowd. Gemstones, sequins, silver, and gold trim added a little glamour and flash to interiors, textiles, and fashion. Today it’s lights, sound, and rhythm that add a new dimension to the world that surrounds us, and e-textiles are at the forefront of making that happen.
Marquetta Bell Johnson was born into a family of tailors and quilters. Her family life provided a rich environment that fostered her creativity as a youth. She is a self-taught artist, creating hand dyed textiles, quilts, and collectibles. She has been fortunate because she has also benefited by the lessons she learned from other surface design artists and quilters.
Marquetta is also a teaching artist affiliated with many organizations such as The High Museum of Art -Atlanta, VSAarts of GA, the Atlanta Partnership for the Arts in Learning, and the Names Project Foundation-the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Photos by Laura Loewen
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