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Home for One Who is Away from Home

By  Chris Alton 2020

Home for One Who is Away from Home (2020) is a pair of patchwork quilts, made from army surplus clothing. The fabric's origin is reflected in the colour palette; khaki, brown, navy blue and military green. Other hints are also present; an unnecessary seam, the curve of a pocket, or leftover buttons. They were produced to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Penn Club. The Penn Club was founded in 1920 by members of the Friends' Ambulance Unit (FAU)*; the quilts pay tribute to this history, as well as the club's connections to Quakerism and Quaker values.

*The Friends' Ambulance Unit (FAU) was a volunteer ambulance service, founded by individual members of the British Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), in line with their Peace Testimony. The FAU operated from 1914–1919, 1939–1946 and 1946–1959 in 25 different countries around the world. It was independent of the Quakers' organisation and chiefly staffed by registered conscientious objectors.

Calton profile 1731356245 Chris Alton

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