Tucson Sector 2023 - 2024

Quiltmaker’s Statement:

Journey of The Souls

This quilt represents the 159 men and women who died crossing the Arizona desert between 2023 and 2024. These men and women were seeking a better way of life for themselves and their children.

My vision was to create a memorial for these individuals, many whose families don’t know they died or have lost contact. The mountains and the cactus are made from clothing abandoned in the desert that has been collected, washed, and stored for use in this project. Camouflage was often worn to help conceal them during their trek through the desert.

The background fabric represents the colors of the desert, the mountains represent the next hazard of the journey to a new life. The sky is made from hand dyed indigo fabric from my collection. Each name was hand embroidered onto fabric — in black for identified individuals and red for those who remain unknown.

There are over 100 hand folded origami humming birds. I used the birds to serve as messengers to the afterlife. Hummingbirds have been significant in the Mexican culture since the Aztec empire.

The hummingbird represents the powerful sun god Huitzilopochtli in Aztec mythology, who was conceived after his mother seized hummingbird feathers falling from the sky. These falling feathers were the soul of a warrior. Mexican elders say Huitzilopochtli guided the Aztec’s long migration to the Valley of Mexico and, because of this, the hummingbird symbolizes strength in life as we navigate difficult times.

Hummingbirds are most commonly thought of as messengers from heaven. When you see one near you, it’s a loved one who has passed on sending you a message or positive intention. These amazing creatures are great communicators and are thought to carry messages from someone else in this world or the after world.

My hope is that this quilt will bring attention to the plight of immigrants and the loss of life. America was founded by immigrants who left their homes and countries to seek a better life. We should be proud to welcome individuals who seek the same. We are the home of the free and the land of the brave. Each one of us must seek a way to make sure we support efforts to keep our country free from fascist leaders and their followers.

     — Glenda Mah, textile artist

Special thank you to Roberta Bigelow, Deb Sorem, Sarah Williams, Kat Puente and Allison Taylor who provided moral, emotional support and helped with the embroidery and origami bird production. Thank you to Morningside United Methodist Church for displaying this quilt and all that they do for our community.