I
view these quilts as gifts from Spirit -- sent to help me, and
others infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, transform the experience
of AIDS from a journey of: |
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The
quilts document my journey with AIDS. After descending into
a state of hopelessness, approaching the brink of death with
AIDS in early 1996, I experienced a healing miracle and the
transformation that is possible for those challenged with
life-threatening illness. |
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CHAKRAMAN (1998) reflects the reclaiming of my personal health and
entry into a new state of energetic well-being and wholeness.
On a symbolic level, the quilt was modeled after the 3’
x 6’ panels that have been created for the National
AIDS Memorial Quilt to honor those who died of AIDS. In
contrast to marking a death, this panel celebrates life’s
energy and supports health. It was manifested just as
the possibility of long term, healthy survival with AIDS
was emerging. It was the first moment that an AIDS diagnosis
presented the opportunity to heal into life, instead of
into death. |
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AMBASSADORS
OF HEALING (2000) reflects my continuing
self healing through service to others and the bringing
of healing energy to address the crisis of AIDS in
South Africa. A golden beam of energy (the teaching
and healing services provided) is being sent from
the white hand (symbolizing the IAHH representatives
and those who supported their journey) to address
AIDS in South Africa. A black hand (representing the
people of Africa who benefited directly and indirectly
from the teaching and services provided) receives
the light. The rainbow suggests unity among the races
and reflects the learning and knowledge that flowed
from the healing wisdom of the Africans who touched
the healers making this journey and all those who
heard their story of this journey. |
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for larger view |
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UNITY
IS HEALING (2002) mirrors the integration of
AIDS as one of the main threads of my life and reflects
a deeper commitment to my sacred contract to serve as
a beacon of hope for those facing the challenges of HIV/AIDS.
The quilt uses a circle (wholeness and unity) to remind
us AIDS is a global issue. The black and white fabrics,
woven together, suggest the integration of effort that
is, and will be, required to address AIDS at a planetary
level. Unity, in our local communities and as a global
community, will be essential as the medical, social, economic,
and political impact of the epidemic become even more
apparent. The circle is created by a spiral, reflecting
growth and change--the process of coming to the same point
again and again, but at different levels, so as to see
the old in new light. The 7 golden spokes, which radiate
out from the center, reflect healing light emanating from
a unified center. The four colors of the quilt (red, yellow,
black, and white) are the colors often used to represent
the four directions in Native American medicine wheels. |
All three of these
quilts were created as part of fund-raising efforts to support
organizations on the front line of managing the AIDS crisis.
They reflect the energy of my ancestors (the Shermans are
descendants of the Shearman family of England...those who
sheared the sheep and wove the fabrics) and the love, support,
fabric contributions, and hours of labor, by family and friends,
that were required to bring these visions into physical form. |
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