Taken from Dayenu: It Would Have Been Enough by Louise Silk
Part of the Exhibition at Brew House Arts in the summer of 2026.
· Delineating · Forming ·Timeless ·
The Tree of Life holds a place of importance in many religions. In Kabbalah, it is a visual representation of the sefirot, ten divine emanations through which the infinite Ein Sof manifests in our world.
My first attempt at a Tree of Life appeared in Quilt National 2011. The materials were sourced from the original South Side Salvation Army, buying shirts in sets of four values per hue. These light to dark contrasts gives the piece its dimensional depth. Eliminating a background, allows the tree to stand on its own, enhances its visual impact.
For the Dayneu exhibit, I envisioned an updated version of the tree. At the renovated Salvation Army, I purchased 32 shirts, representing 4 values of 8 hues, each a divine attribute with its own complex color in values.
Tee-shirts come in an irregular mix of textures with sewn hems, silkscreened logos, and stretchy solid areas. Taking advantage of their pliable nature, encourages quilts that feel and look more organic.
I used the excess material to make traditional Stars Variations. My success with traditional diamond patterns goes back to an early Sunburst using yardage on hand, including a very unloved dull brown fabric. The Sunburst transformed the drab brown into a radiant magical burst of color, proving that patchwork diamonds offer effortless success regardless the fabric selection and the perfect solution for these remnants.
BubbeWisdom 