Hmong people make beautiful textiles. While they were held in relocation camps after the end of the Vietnam War, both men and women passed the time making exquisite embroidered pieces that depict either peaceful or combative scenes. The tiny stitches used and the tiny figures that are sewed to perfection demonstrate skill, patience and talent.
A few years ago, Jim and I were privileged to visit the Rhode Island School of Design’s graduate department where an exhibit was mounted. We went there not only to enjoy the work but to photograph items for an article which was published in The Quilter magazine. The pieces ranged from quite small to wall-size huge (8′ wide), and mostly represent items that were brought home by a missionary nun who is associated with the Genesis Center in Providence.
Hmong shoulder purse, close-up. Gift of James and Rebecca Gorham
Knowing of my love of Hmong work, the beautiful, too-good-to-use, zippered purse seen above was a birthday gift last year from my son and his wife. I love it!
To read more about the history, culture and needlework of the Hmong, please visit my web article. One graduate student references this article in her master’s thesis. I hope you will enjoy reading what I wrote and will follow up by reading more about the special people called the “Hmong.”
For scholars: A list of the details of all of my published articles are listed in a file that is mentioned on the front page of our main website: Quilter’s Muse Publications
Patricia Cummings
