There’s no denying that we love Bisa Butler on this corner of the internet. Recently, the acclaimed quilt artist created the quilted portrait of Ahmir Thompson, also known as Questlove, for The New York Times Magazine. Questlove is a drummer, D.J., and producer and was featured in the magazine for his obsession with spreading Black music’s joys. Butler represented Thompson through her iconically vibrant textures and patterns that perfectly represent her subjects, and this one is no exception. The detail is undeniably beautiful, and the fact that this portrait was created solely through the use of cotton, silk, lace, velvet, glass seed, and bugle beads is mesmerizing.
The Passion of Questlove The New York Times Magazine @nytmag
I’m thrilled to announce that my quilted portrait of Ahmir Thompson otherwise known as Questlove is on the cover of the famed New York Times Magazine culture issue!
Congratulations to the incredible writer Jazmine Hughes @jazzloon on your feature article!
*there is zero paint on this artwork
Cotton, silk, lace, velvet and glass seed and bugle beads.
Quilted and appliquéd
I included African fabrics with motifs to illustrate Questlove’s name ; the heart, Philadelphia on his lapels, drums and vinyl records to celebrate @theroots . The colors selected were influenced by the set from the Summer of Soul documentary.
– African Dutch wax fabric by @vlisco -domestic printed cottons from @freespiritfabrics
– thread by @superiorthreads
Project Credits