Bijagos Warrior

"Bijagos Warrior" was inspired by a photo taken by Sarah Ann Smith while she was a volunteer in the Bijagos Archipelago.

This striking image of a "gorgeous man" she photographed in West Africa, is the image that launched Sarah Ann Smith on her journey to become a professional quilter, and became her quilt, Bijagos Warrior.

Artist Statement: "In the summer of 1982, I worked as a volunteer on the island of Bubaque, in the Bijagos Archipelago off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, under the auspices of Operation Crossroads Africa. Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese colony nestled just south of Senegal, on the westernmost part of the bulge of Africa.

One day, a boat was leaving to go to a neighboring island-not a common occurrence. This man was on the boat and immediately caught my eye. Even then, when Bubaque had only had electricity for two years, it was unusual to see men dressed in a traditional manner. To me, he represents a vanishing way of life, and I wanted to capture that as well as his physical beauty.

Bijagos Warrior was one of only three quilts in the 2005 statewide Maine Quilts show to receive an "Exceptional Merit" ribbon. Quilts are judged on a scale of 0-100; blue ribbon quilts are those earning 90-96 points (average of the 3 judges' scores). Exceptional Merit are those earning 97-100 points. This year's judges were Elly Sienkiewicz, Pepper Cory and Joyce Becker, so I'm especially thrilled to receive this recognition."

Maker: Sarah Ann Smith

Quilter: Sarah Ann Smith

Year Made: 2004

Owned By: NA

Size: 42 x 42 inches

Shows & Museums: Maine Quilts 2005; AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2005; Pacific International Quilt Festival 2004

Awards: Exceptional Merit Award Winner - Maine Quilts 2005