Sunday Series Artist Talk: Tina Williams Brewer

Throughout 2024 we’ll be hosting conversations between artist & curator. Judy Barie, Director of Galleries at The Chautauqua Institution, and a member from Pittsburgh’s creative community to discuss their work & practice.

We’re excited to close out our year of talks with artist, story-teller, and recipient of  the 2024 Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Award, Tina Williams Brewer.

Known for her story quilts, Williams Brewer uses symbolism, textile, and fabrics to explore African-American history, generational healing, and the spirituality of her culture. Speaking of her work, Williams Brewer states: “Through my work I tell a story, carrying messages from ancestors. My work is a celebration of the profound joy of gathering with loved ones and the strength of spiritual connections. It is an expression of the deep pain of racism and the pathways forward, the resilience of African American families and the light that lifts them up. My intention is to give dignity to human suffering, finding rhythms that are both mind-stirring and soul-soothing.”

Williams Brewer’s pieces are primarily hand-quilted and collage mixed-mediums including photo transfers, printmaking, and hand-beading. Each piece is embellished with symbols drawn from African nations and rich colorful fabrics with patterns that allude to both cultural meanings and personal history. Her process creates complex, layered compositions that function as maps investigating her heritage, the African diaspora, and the links between past, present, and future.

Judy Barie is a curator and painter with a long career supporting artists. She divides her time between Pittsburgh, PA and Chautauqua, NY, where she serves as the Susan and John Turben Director of the Chautauqua Visual Arts Galleries. At Chautauqua, she curates and directs a variety of contemporary exhibitions while inspiring collectors and supporting artists. Judy was also the curator of PCA&M’s 2023 Member and Student Exhibition.