Sew & So...6 Jul 2023

Cookie Washington - The Divine Feminine

Cookie Washington, born in Morocco, is a fourth-generation needle worker, award winning textile artist and guest curator of the African American Fiber Arts Exhibit which is part of the North Charleston Arts Festival.

Her passion for fiber art is infectious and she comes from a long line of sewists dating back to her great-grandmother.

She’s been selected as one of 44 master quilters to create a quilt for Barak Obama’s inauguration and has been featured in documentary films.

(2:28) At four years old, Cookie was paid 50 cents by her grandfather for sewing her first Barbie dress - she shares this story. In addition, she talks about the female lineage in her family that inspired, mentored, and encouraged her sewing. She also talks of her sewing plans for her three granddaughters.

(7:00) Then, Cookie transitioned to fabric art during a difficult time in her life - she shares this story. A Communion of Sprits; African American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories by Roland Freeman created a tipping point in her creativity and she opens up about how this happened.

(10:46) Cookie talks about her personal connection to the attack at Mother Emanuel Church and how she used her quilts to help heal the city. Her art to her is a meditative prayer.

(13:21) What’s the Divine Feminine and what does it mean to her? She shares the meaning of this and how it led to her work with mermaids.

(16:15) Cookie does a lot of curatorial art to foster introspection, communication and provide education. She walks us through her process for this, and how we can celebrate our sameness and be inquisitive about our differences. She shares stories about her work “A Dialog in Black and White” and how she believes her ministry is to bring people together.

(10:25) “I want to make art that challenges people to feel. Art that makes them soar and annoys.” Cookie explains how this drives her creations. She also talks about Henrietta Lacks and “The Immortal Cell” and the art she created to celebrate this amazing woman. She also talks about how she artistically captures the physicality of Serena and Venus Williams, and Simone Biles in her work.

(32:58) In addition to her work, she donates her time and talent to serve in many ways which she tells us about. She also shares news about her current project “Quilted Hugs”.

(39:20) Cookie believes that there is a shift in the art community and sewing that is moving from utilitarian out of necessity to art that celebrates. She explains her position on this shift invoking Bisa Butler and Michelangelo!

(46:00) Right before the podcast was recorded, Cookie had the “Best Weekend Ever” in her curating the exhibit “Celebrating Black Mermaids from Africa to America”. This is a wonderful story here about the genesis of this exhibit of 150 pieces and the effect is had on the art community. She talks of the contributions of Dr. Lauren Davis and Dr. Henry Drewal to this event. The event exceeded her expectations and dreams!

(56:47) What’s her dream? To keep encouraging people to quilt. She will move forward with this at The Kindred Spirits Conference. She also has a show coming up in November where she’ll display her Quilted Hug project. She wants to learn the longarm too!

(59: 43) What didn’t I ask? About her granddaughters!!!!

(1:00:33) To reach out to Cookie email her at Cookiesews1960@gmail.com and her website www.cookiesewsquilts.com. And Instagram @cookiwsews.

(1:01:54) Oh, and by the way, how did we find Cookie for Sew & So? Learn that here!

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.