The Sum of Many Parts: 25 Quiltmakers in 21st-Century America presents twenty-five quilts from diverse cultural and regional communities in the United States of America.

Quiltmaking has always been an important tradition in America, and the many styles of American quilts reflect the diversity of the United States itself. Quilts tell personal and national stories, connect to past generations, and foster deep bonds of community. Though created in different communities across the country, quilts represent the interwoven spirit and cultural heritage of the American people.

The quiltmakers featured in this exhibition are actively producing work today. Some began quilting and sewing in their youth, while others did not pursue the art form until adulthood. Many learned the craft at home, creating practical blankets for their families. Others are academically trained artists who choose textiles as their primary medium. Some are professional artists whose work is a means of income, while others create quilts as gifts or simply for personal enjoyment.

Each of these quilts is unique, as is its maker. Each quilt tells an individual story, has a distinct artistic style and purpose, and employs a personalized technique. Yet despite the range of styles, the artists presented here are united in their respect for the quiltmaking tradition and passion for artistic expression through textiles.

We are honored to share this exhibition with the people of China, where textile arts have a long and remarkable history. And we celebrate the common threads between our two countries.

化零为整：21世纪美国的25位拼布制作者展示了25幅来自美国不同文化和区域社群的拼布作品。

拼布制作在美国一直是个重要的传统，美国拼布的诸多风格也体现了美利坚合众国本身的多元化。拼布作品可以诉说个人和国家的故事、衔接过去的世代，还能促进社会的深层联系。虽然这些拼布作品诞生于全国各地的不同社群，但它们象征着美国人民精神和文化遗产的交织。

本次展出的拼布制作者目前仍活跃于拼布制作领域。她们之间有一些从年青时代就踏入拼布制作和缝纫的世界，也有一些在成年之后才接触拼布这种艺术形式；她们大多数一开始都是在家里学会这门手艺，为家人制作实用的毯子；另外一些人则是受过专业培训，并选择了纺织品作为主要表达媒介的艺术家。有些拼布制作者是专业艺术家，工作是她们收入的来源，还有一些制作拼布作品当成礼物，或纯粹作为个人乐趣。

展出的每一件作品都是独一无二的，正如每位拼布制作者都各有特点。每件拼布作品都讲述了一个个人故事，都有鲜明的艺术风格和效果，并采用了个性化的技巧。尽管风格各异，这一些艺术家由于她们对拼布制作传统的尊重和通过纺织品表现艺术的热情而聚集到一起。

纺织艺术在中国有一个漫长而辉煌的历史，我们很荣幸能为中国人民推出这个展览。同时，我们也为中美两国之间这共同的纽带而庆祝。

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