Visioning Human Rights in the New Millennium : Quilting the World’s Conscience

A creative reminder of the vital protections in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights as seen through art quilts.

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, these 91 art quilts explore its 30 principles, reflecting themes that help us rethink human rights, and the devastating impacts of intolerance and bigotry.

A powerful way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, this book reminds us of its impact and each of its 30 principles, using intriguing art quilts.

Sometimes taking us by surprise, the 75 textile artists visualize the global struggle for human rights with their interpretations of the Declaration, ratified in 1948, which represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are innately entitled.

The themes of the 91 works featured here include the first recorded initiation of human rights in Persia in 539 BCE, the plight of child soldiers and child brides, unlawful incarceration, the right to privacy, fair labor practices, torture, and the right of all world citizens to food, education, shelter, and healthcare.

Together with the text of each Rights Declaration article, a message from the artist explains each quilt’s inspiration and meaning.