Marcia Watson

Windrush. Fading away with memories that will be lost. It’s a history we should record. This is a blog of how my pieces are building.

The series so far:

1) Rachel – Most Racist Was In White Church 2) Marcia – Validation 3) The Background’s Too Strong, it Needs to be Whiter 4) Jeff Brown – You Try To Do Your Best 5) George Saunders

Marcia Watson, Validation.

Quilt 100cms x 118cms

In this quilt I’m aiming to show you the poignant narrative of Marcia Watson, trying to encapsulate her struggles, resilience, and her own request for validation within the quilt. As the second of five Windrush quilts being produced for the Leamington exhibition in 2025, it serves as another testament to the enduring spirit of those who embarked on the journey to the UK, seeking new beginnings while confronting the harsh realities of racism and discrimination.

Arriving in the UK at the very young age of 8, her life from the start became a battleground against prejudice even from her teachers at school. Marcia’s own words are written on the background—a narrative of personal reflections and shared experiences drawn from the Warwickshire Windrush video which records histories of local families, which I transcribed for the quilt.

The centerpiece of the quilt is Marcia’s portrait, in acrylics and free machine stitch. To me, her gaze seems to reflect a lifetime of resilience, and the gentle tolerance of the beloved teacher she became; (she taught my own daughter) even her hands are poised in a gesture that speaks volumes of patience. As your eye wanders, you’ll see a subtle yet profound detail—the same as all the Windrush quilts I’m making – a gradual fading of Marcia’s clothing which is a deliberate choice. The symbolism is there to evoke the passage of time, the erosion of memories, and the gradual assimilation of culture; a reminder of the complexities inherent in the immigrant experience

It’s important to me that the creative process somehow extends beyond the confines of my own little world and involves people’s experiences and stories. As well as watching and transcribing the video, I was so lucky to be able to engage with the Leamington Windrush community, forging small connections and gathering inspiration from real-life encounters. I hope these interactions infuse the quilt with a profound sense of authenticity and empathy, honouring the voices of those whose stories deserve to be heard.

I guess I’m trying to bridge the gap between past and present, memory and reality, creating a space where the narratives of the Windrush generations can be preserved and celebrated. This is my tribute to Marcia Watson.

21st September 2023

20th September 2023

Validation

Beginning to work on hair. Hope to finish it tomorrow. Next stage is Marcia’s words.

The paint on the clothes etc is supposed to show the patterning on the cloth. The meaning behind the coffee cup and jumper will become apparent in a few days.

19th September 2023

Validation

A late summer burst of sun has put a stop to progress temporarily as I do battle with the garden weeds and overgrown stuff. I’ve managed to stitch Marcia’s clothes, and will work on it more from now on as it’s gone back to normal rain and tupperware skies.