The concentric diamond pattern in the outer panels has several sources, the first being a traditional pieced pattern, Roman Stripe. The diamonds also reference the God’s Eye ritual object from the Huichol peoples of Mexico. This quilt also indicates the artist’s fascination with patterns that the Igbo women of Nigeria paint on their houses, Ogalu, derived from a skin scarification pattern. The Igbo motif over the quilt’s central panel is known as Uli. Sue Benner sees all these motifs as a sort of universal visual language. Watchful Eye X: Deep Ogalu and Uli is part of the exhibition, Abstract Design in American Quilts at 50: New York Nexus. Image courtesy of the artist