Zak Foster’s textile exhibition, “Southern White Amnesia,” will be on display at the Diane Endres-Ballweg Gallery in Madison Public Library’s Central Library from September 11 through October 27. The show investigates how white American families address or avoid their histories related to slavery and its continuing effects.
The exhibition begins with an event on September 11 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm, which includes a reception and an author talk by Foster about his latest book, “The World Needs Your Next Quilt.” This program is held in partnership with the Wisconsin Book Festival and is open to the public.
Foster, who learned quilting outside formal institutions, draws inspiration from Southern textile traditions. His work has appeared at major venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Met Gala. He also leads Quilty Nook, a global community for quilters and makers.
In this collection, Foster uses personal family documents—including Civil War letters and estate records—to examine inherited silence about slavery. According to Foster, when he shared his findings with a relative about their ancestors’ involvement in slavery, “the family member’s immediate response was ‘no,’ followed by the insistence that they would ‘surely know’ if this were true.” He says this denial became a starting point for his project.
The exhibition features hand-sewn dolls representing slave-owning ancestors arranged in an antique doll bed; a genealogical quilt tracing generational wealth linked to enslaved labor; and “Snake Handler!,” a church banner inspired by dreams addressing inherited injustice. Foster incorporates traditional techniques alongside repurposed materials from his Southern Baptist upbringing.
A notable element is the inclusion of 209 Civil War letters written by Foster’s relatives serving in the Confederacy—none of which mention slavery directly. The show moves beyond uncovering history toward acts of repair: mending a found quilt symbolizes ongoing efforts at accountability. All proceeds from art sales will go to scholarships via the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
While rooted in personal narrative, Foster intends for “Southern White Amnesia” to spark wider conversations around race, religion, regional identity, and memory. The library states that hosting this exhibit aligns with its mission to provide access to ideas supporting lifelong learning and offers visitors space for reflection on individual and collective pasts.
