Black Experience Threaded Through the Quilts of Lauren Austin at the Polk Museum Of Art

Lakeland, FL (November 22, 2022) – Smithsonian-affiliated Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College opened its newest exhibit, “Lauren Austin: Life in Quilts,” on November 12. The former civil rights attorney turned full-time artist creates large-scale figurative art quilts incorporating her family photos, artist dyed fabric, stone lithography, printmaking, and beading to develop and describe her memories, experiences, and thoughts in a visual story. This original Polk Museum of Art exhibition showcases Austin’s unique vision.

Austin draws on a long history of African Diaspora textile making while incorporating the everyday drama, joy, and sadness of the Black experience. Lauren’s understanding and love of African Diaspora cultures, deepened by years living and working abroad, is brought to life by hand-sewing, machine-sewing, and beadwork in her quilts.

“It takes only a few moments with Austin’s work to sense her passion for and mastery of her multiple media,” says Dr. H. Alexander Rich, executive director and chief curator of the Museum. “The Museum is thrilled to introduce wide audiences to her engaging storytelling abilities in an exhibition that celebrates lived Black experience.”

Austin’s signature narrative quilts focus on Black family life and its relationship to the natural world, with thought-provoking details that celebrate her culture through the medium of dyed, painted, and printed fabric. Her work includes interpretations of the artist’s love of bird watching, gardening and music.  Other pieces use the artist’s historic and vintage family photos printed on fabric to tell her history in a new way. 

“Art has given me the ability to reflect on my life visually,” Austin writes in her artist statement. “The artworks here describe moments in my life. I invite viewers to connect to my visions and to share their responses.”

“Lauren Austin: Life in Quilts” will be on view in the Museum’s Perkins Gallery from November 12 - March 12, 2023. There will be a reception with the artist on December 3 from 3 pm to 5 pm. 

About the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College

The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College is a not-for-profit, academic and community museum that seeks to enhance lives through inspirational and engaging art experiences for all. It is the largest and only nationally accredited visual arts organization in Polk County and the only Smithsonian Affiliate art museum in Central Florida. The Museum is currently embarking on a $6 million expansion and renovation project, adding more than 13,000 sq. ft. of education and exhibition space, including six new galleries, as well as multi-functional classroom and event spaces. The expansion and renovation is expected to begin in 2023, with project completion in Spring 2024. The Museum’s hours are Tuesdays–Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, and closed Mondays and major holidays. The facility is handicap accessible and special needs assistance is available. Admission is free, thanks to our Strategic Partner, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation.