The Secret Codes: Quilts from and inspired by Nova Scotia’s Black communities

The Secret Codes presents the quiltmaking traditions of Nova Scotia’s 40 Black communities from the past century. In this expanded version of the original 2012 exhibition, works by 24 living and deceased, mostly Black quiltmakers, show the ways that quilts have functioned: as decorated blankets, as secret codes to escape slavery, as documentary records of community and family history, as a celebration of Black women and Black culture, and increasingly as tableaus of vivid artmaking.

Described by Karen Henry of the Quilt Canada National Committee as “some of the most beautiful quilts I have seen in all of Canada,” The Secret Codes quilts add a vibrant and compelling new chapter to the contemporary art scene in Canada.
Curated by David Woods
Organized by The Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia (BANNS) and The Vale Quilters of New Glasgow