Betty Leacraft exhibits in tribute to Nelson Mandela

Betty Leacraft will visit South Africa, where one of her works will be part of an exhibit of art quilts in tribute to the late President Nelson Mandela.

The exhibit, titled Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela, features works by 90 artists, including 37 from the United States. It will be displayed from July 26-28 at the Emperor's Palace Convention Center in Johannesburg.

Leacraft's work is called Amandla!, which in the Xhosa and Zulu languages means "power." The 30-by-30-inch quilt was inspired by the green, black, and gold flag of the African National Congress, the antiapartheid group of which Mandela was a leader.

From the Leeway Foundation website: Betty is a shape shifter of textiles, informed by artistic and cultural traditions of Africa and the African Diaspora, is inspired by cultural contributions of African Americans and addresses themes of identity, heritage, nature, cultural symbolism and ritual. She blends multiple techniques and processes including hand and machine stitching, quilting, wet felt making, and surface design. She was taught to sew as a child by her maternal grandmother. Her maternal Guyanese grandfather ignited her interest in world cultures. Through independent research and study with indigenous African and other textile masters she acquired additional textile related skills.