On Sunday mornings countless Black women adorn themselves with lovely hats. This is a tradition that originated in the Black church and is inclusive of various religious denominations. A woman was not considered properly dressed for worship without her crown. As a child, I remember my own fascination with hats. My mother had a sizeable collection. There were times when we both wore matching dresses and hats. Oh, let me not forget the gloves! They were an essential part of our Sunday attire. Mother had several beliefs: “A lady always wears gloves” and “You can tell a lot about a person by the type of hat they wore.” Miss Ruby was created for all those ladies, from the past to the present, who made wearing a hat an art form. She is the older more sophisticated church lady I remember -- complete with fancy white gloves. A bird was placed on her shoulder as a touch of whimsy. I often use birds in my pieces because they are seen as mediators between heaven and earth, acting as messengers because they can fly.

Gwen Aqui - Miss Ruby’s Crown
(Washington, District of Columbia)
2007; 36 x 39 inches;
cotton, silk, beads, buttons, found objects, embroidery, hand stitched;
photo by Chas. E. Martin.