The Knowledge Project: A Stitched Stand Against Censorship
A book can change a life. A book can challenge ideas, ignite conversations, and expand our understanding of the world. But what happens when access to knowledge is restricted?
We created The Knowledge Project, a collaborative quilt inspired by the Nea Onnim Adinkra symbol for knowledge, to confront this very issue. This quilt, stitched by many hands, is a visual protest against censorship—a striking bookshelf of banned books, each title hand-stitched onto fabric, coming together to form a powerful statement: Knowledge should not be denied.
A Symbol of Resistance
The quilt’s design was inspired by Adinkra symbols, motifs from the Gyaman people of Ghana and Ivory Coast that carry deep philosophical meanings. Historically printed on cloth for royal garments and ceremonies, these symbols are now widely recognized as representations of African heritage and wisdom. The Nea Onnim symbol—meaning *"he who does not know can learn"—*felt especially fitting for a project centered on banned books. Many of the books featured in this quilt tell stories of Black history, gender identity, social justice, and resistance—themes that are often targeted for removal from libraries and schools.
A Living Archive of Banned Books
Each spine on this quilt represents a banned or challenged book, stitched with care and defiance. Some are classics, some are contemporary, but all have faced censorship. Among them:
📖 The Hate U Give
📖 The 1619 Project
📖 Gender Queer
📖 To Kill a Mockingbird
📖 1984
📖 The Handmaid’s Tale
📖 Where the Wild Things Are
📖 Anne Frank
📖 Go Tell It on the Mountain
📖 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
...and many more *(full list below). Each title represents a fight for the freedom to read, to learn, and to share stories without fear.
Where to See the Quilt
The Knowledge Project Quilt will be exhibited June through July at the Collins Gallery in the Main Library of Portland, Oregon, as part of the Stitched Resistance and Unbound show. But its journey doesn’t stop there—this quilt is meant to be seen, to spark dialogue, and to stand as a reminder of what’s at stake when books are banned.
We are offering this quilt for display in bookstores, libraries, and community events to continue the conversation about censorship and the power of storytelling. If you are interested in hosting this quilt in your space, please reach out to us via email.
The Artists Behind the Stitches
This quilt would not exist without the talented hands and hearts that brought it to life. Artists from all over contributed their skills, ensuring that each book spine was not just sewn but honored.
A special thanks to: Michelle Fitzgerald, Berene Campbell, Carole Seubert, Chris Marchini, Marci Macfarlane, amy dame, Brittany Scott, Samantha Flores, Sara Flynn, Marcia Mersky, Michele Nichols, Kory Keller, Sandy Uhos, Casey Manley, Rebecca Dovi, Angel Van Note, Juandamarie Gikandi, Angie Reat, Kristine Millette
This quilt is more than fabric and thread—it is resistance, history, and a promise that knowledge will not be silenced.
📚 Want to help keep books accessible? Support your local libraries, bookstores, and banned book initiatives. Read freely. Share stories. Keep the conversation alive.
#TheKnowledgeProject #BannedBooks #QuiltingForChange #StitchedResistance #FreedomToRead #UnboundVoices
*We highly recommend checking out these books at your local library—not only to support public access to literature but also to stand against censorship by borrowing banned books. If you're looking to purchase a copy, consider stopping by your local independent bookstore and browsing their used section. Buying secondhand keeps these powerful stories circulating while supporting small businesses in your community. However you find them, these books deserve to be read, shared, and discussed!
Featured Banned Books: The Gay Agenda, Firekeeper’s Daughter, The Hate You Give, The 1619 Project, The Handmaid’s Tale, Another, GenderQueer, Where the Wild Things Are, Don’t Panic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Light in the Attic, Goosebumps, To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal Farm, Speak, Anne Frank, The Giver, Go Tell it on the Mountain, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Catch-22, Catcher in the Rye, Little Red Riding Hood, And Tango Makes Three, Sulwe, 1984, Milk & Honey, Gossip Girl, The Witches, Wings.
PMQG Quilt Documentation Day
PMQG is hosting our second Quilt Documentation Day at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in the 2nd floor Lab Space.
Fee includes photography, quilt registration, evaluation and assessment. Please register below using the form on this page! We will contact you the week before the event to finalize the schedule and answer any questions.
We are so excited to partner with the wonderful Museum of Contemporary Craft for this quilt documentation event, particularly since it will be during their fiber art Common Threads exhibit. Their New Embroidery Tablecloth, a community artwork in progress since 2006, will be part of the event as well.
PMQG members and participants are welcome to contribute their own original hand-embroidery or stitching to it, or of course work on their own hand-sewing projects in the lab space. We would love to have volunteer help at any time throughout the day so please email portlandmodernquiltguild at gmail.com if you're interested in spending part of the afternoon sewing and documenting with us! Note: Participating PMQG members may visit the event without paying the regular individual admission charge (the guild will make a general donation to the museum).
