We Are Iowans is a fiber arts piece that captures Iowan culture through the unique perspective of a Black, Christian, urban woman. For most people, Grant Wood’s painting, American Gothic is an iconic representation of Iowa. However, did you know that 3.89% of Iowans are Black or African American? When exploring the culture and arts of Iowa I realize that there is no one who speaks for the 4% in artistic representation. In my piece, I want to express the essence and beauty of what it means to be a Black woman from an urban Iowa context to tell a story that’s not often told.

The themes explored in my piece are the intertwining of identity and context. I chose this topic because I am a Christian African American woman born and raised in Iowa and I want  to tell the story of those like me who share a similar experience. This piece will tell my story of Iowa through the exploration of using a unique technique of intertwining yarn fibers.