The quilts are widely acclaimed as spectacular examples of modern, abstract art and their makers as brilliantly creative self-taught artists.
Since the mid-19th century African-American women in this tiny rural community, most of whom are the descendants of slaves, have been producing these visually stunning works, transforming an essential necessity into an art form through quilts that express their stories of family, community and basic human survival. This exhibition presents newly discovered quilts from the 1930s through 2005 by established quilters and the younger generation they inspired. It documents the development of key quilt patterns— courthouse steps, flying geese, and strip quilting—through outstanding examples.
Catalogue: Accompanying the exhibition is an extensive catalogue featuring 330 color illustrations. Gee?s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt includes essays by Dilys Blum and Bernard Herman, director of the Center for American Material Culture Studies at the University of Delaware. Other contributors include Paul Arnett, Joanne Cubbs, Euegene W. Metcalf, Jr., Lauren Whitley, Diane Mott, and Maggie Gordon. -- www.philamuseum.org
