A Kiss from the Ancestors, NedRa Bonds

This quilt represents the birth of jazz and its history. In the center, the figure’s head consists of 40 small beaded faces, or masks, that symbolize ancestors. According to the artist, the faces that are primarily gold represent Africans—who supplied the rhythms— while the faces that are primarily silver represent Europeans—who provided the melodies. Together they created jazz, symbolized by the child. In the background, there are images of African and European villages and instruments that support the music. The artist celebrates the significance of Kansas City, her hometown, to the history of jazz.