- May 6, 2026
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Ancient civilizations across numerous cultures and centuries revered figures of goddesses for their strength and compassion. Remnants of their artistic representations have survived the tests of time in the form of carved bone, poured bronze, clay and stone statuettes. Local artist Peg Green has found her own way of celebrating those enduring images through the unique art form of quiltwork.
Green's series on ancient goddesses is part of the collection that recently opened at All Angels Episcopal Church, where she and church administrative assistant Linn Torres hung the pieces on May 2 while the artist explained her creative process.
"Most of these are drawn from archeological discoveries, and they go back to prehistoric times, as far back as 30,000 years ago," she said.
Her highly detailed tapestries incorporate specific traits of the figurines that inspired them, like the specific movement of a hand upraised in dance. But her works also incorporate her own artistic style, rich with swirling celestial rainbows.
Green, originally from Ohio, has had lifelong passions for both art and history. She earned a doctorate in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago, tracing language back to its beginnings in ancient Sumer.
She explored many art forms while following her academic pursuits, eventually gravitating toward quilting as a self-taught crafter.
"This just connects all my life experiences," she said of her fabric work.
While she is experienced in sculpture, painting, wood burning, jewelry making and many other art forms, Green said she particularly likes the tactile nature of working with clothes to create these intricate windows into the past.
"These goddesses go back to the earliest prehistory, even before writing," she mused. "We don't always know the specific stories of who was related to whom and where they were born and their feats. We just have a sense of the divine power in each one."
Each project is a labor of love in a craft she has honed over the past 30 years. One of the largest on display, depicting Quan Yin from Buddhist beliefs, took about six years to complete.
Green said she appreciates getting to celebrate feminine divine figures from multiple points in history. Archeological dig sites will often uncover concentrations of the statuettes she finds so fascinating in the same area, all from different periods.
"If you map it out and do it chronologically, you can see how the discoveries have shown the development of art and artistic concepts of women across time and location," she said. "In the Ukraine/Croatia area, over a period of time, they have found extremely similar designs and styles across communities."
Her projects delve into the historical significance of these pieces, but they also show her appreciation of these figures' spirituality.
"I connect with the divine feminine and a strongly mystical relationship with God," she said. "As a child, I always had these experiences, especially in nature, where I felt like I belonged to everything. When it comes to my quiltwork, I like to have an ethereal look to it."
She continued, "They are from different times, but because they're all my art, there's a connection among them across the centuries and millennia."
While she invests significant time into researching and understanding these figures, Green said the analytical part of design isn't on the forefront of her mind when it comes to actually creating her tapestries.
"It's not about coming into it with an intention. It's about what emerges from me through the art. Creating art is a solitary, meditative process for me."
The true beauty of these statues is that every new set of eyes to see them, even tens of thousands of years after being crafted, brings its own interpretation. She said it is a joy to bring these stories to new audiences through her art.
"I love when people read the history and get the connection," she said.
