Performing Black ademics: An Artful Inquiry of Black Scholarly Reimaginings in Qualitative Research Through Quilting Performance

Abstract

This article unpacks ongoing artful inquiry into our experiences as Black academics who center Sankofa sensibilities in our research and writing. Specifically, we conceptualize quilting performance as artful inquiry. Drawing on artful inquiry as a mode of thinking that informs multiple qualitative approaches, we co-construct an ongoing quilt that we co-perform as we navigate higher education. Thus, this article discusses quilting performance as a fluid iteration of artful inquiry that allows us to flow within, through, and beyond the research process, as discussed in this issue. We frame five phases of quilting performance as artful inquiry: (a) gathering patches of fabric, (b) grabbing the needle, (c) threading the needle and connecting the patches of fabric, (d) removing excessive fabric and threads, and (e) finalizing and using the quilt. Following this process, we provide insights into a Black aesthetic of quilting performance as metaphoric and embodied (then digitized) enactments of artful inquiry.

Keywords

artful inquiry Black faculty qualitative research quilting performance Sankofa

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