Cory Perry: Arkansas Pennant Canopy

Suspended overhead, Cory Perry’s Arkansas Pennant Canopy stitches together fabrics from across the state into a quilted celebration of cultural diversity, heritage, and mixed-ethnic identity.

Artist statement:

In this project, I wanted to celebrate the excellence of diversity within Arkansas. After experiencing the richness of each region of our state through the Arkansas Folklife community events, I was inspired to create a piece that represents our cultural diversity and mixed-ethnic backgrounds. I needed to create something that honors the traditions that shape us: our heritage, agriculture, food, music, and dance.

A quilt of fabrics became a metaphor for this idea. Each piece, cut from a different cloth and stitched together to build something larger than ourselves. In constructing the work, it was important to find textiles that would resonate with various communities around the state. Whether from the Delta region, the Southwest region, or anywhere else in between, my hope is that viewers will look up and see a textile-fabric that reminds them of a loved one, or maybe a past memory with friends and family, reminding them of their contribution to this statewide cultural landscape.