Discovery of the South Pole

The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team of 4 more men reached the South Pole on December 14^th, 1911. They built a small tent marking the South Pole. Above the tent flew a Norwegian flag and a flag of Amundsen’s ship called FRAM. They also left a letter stating their accomplishment, in case they did not return safely to Norway. When the British explorer R.F. Scot and his team reached the Pole on January 17^th, 1912, they found the tent left in place by Amundsen. They were disappointed but acknowledged Amundsen’s discovery.

The tent has never been removed but now it is deeply underneath the snow that collected through the years (snow never melts at the Pole) and moved away from the actual South Pole. The ice that covers Antarctica is slowly moving, and the geographic marker must be moved several meters each year. Where is the tent now it is not known but it is till there, under the ice.

The discovery of the South Pole was crucial for completing global geographical exploration, but its lasting importance lies in scientific research. It acts as a unique, undisturbed laboratory for climate change, astronomy, and geology, offering insights into Earth’s history, atmospheric health, and the origins of the universe

In my first version of this quilt, I had figures of 4 men standing in front of the tent but decided to remove them. The men are gone, the tent is still there.

I used my own hand-dyed fabrics and fused applique technique. Machine quilted with some hand embroidery. The portrait of Roald Amundsen attached.