Resilience and Rest

Appliqúe quilt made with second-hand fabric, 32”x40”, 2023

Embracing the landscape of the Mojave desert, I found myself looking for wisdom in the resilient community that the Mojave desert has adapted to become. Faced with the climate emergency, it has become essential to me that the work I create, on some level, acknowledges and prepares me and others for our ongoing struggle. The desert landscape has been through extreme weather events, and although battered, it is still standing and thriving. The desert community prepares for these weather events by adapting with each changing season. There are perennial plants that stay above the ground year-round (which have visible adaptations such as needles and thorns), and annuals that come up when conditions are right, typically after a rain event. Both varieties are essential to the ecology of the desert. Some species can remain dormant for years before deciding to resurface. This knowledge spoke to my ongoing research regarding climate adaptation and community resilience. The Mojave desert is testament that resilient communities must honor the importance of rest. Quilting is an accessible, slow and sustainable medium, I have crafted a 32x40 inch wall-hanging quilt to reflect my findings in the Mojave desert.