Share the extraordinary creative legacy of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama, whose improvisational quilts have been recognized globally as one of the most important contributions to American art history.
This gorgeous 56-page book is especially for readers 8 to 12 but will be appreciated by all ages. It celebrates the collective genius of these quilters, descendants of the enslaved people who lived on the former cotton plantation, who transformed necessity into stunning, abstract artistry.
More than just a catalogue, this book is an intimate journey into the history, lives, and unique aesthetic language of the women of the Gee's Bend collective, located in a remote Black community on the Alabama River. Their work, often compared to masterpieces of modern art by artists like Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian, is characterized by:
- Bold Improvisation: A distinctive style that defies traditional quilting patterns, utilizing asymmetry, startling color combinations, and recycled materials like denim and work clothes.
- Deep Heritage: A powerful visual link to African American history, traditional textile work, and the resilience of a rural community.
- The Quilters' Voices: Featuring compelling portraits of the artists and original interviews that tell their stories in their own words, providing crucial context for the art they created.
This book is an essential visual archive for artists, art historians, textile enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the profound beauty and enduring power of American folk art.
A map, directions on how to make a quilt square, endnotes, and an index round out this stunning nonfiction book.
Praise
**STARRED REVIEW**Kirkus
"A handsome volume to enchant a new generation of readers and artists."
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**STARRED REVIEW**Booklist
"Writing with awareness of broad social forces as they affected the residents of Gee’s Bend, Rubin offers a concise account of local history while seamlessly weaving quilters’ reminiscences of family, community, poverty, and memorable events into an informative narrative. . . A colorful introduction to a uniquely American subject."
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"A celebration of fellowship and ingenuity...Rubin traces the quilters’ history alongside their struggle for civil rights and a steadily improving quality of life."Publishers Weekly
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"Lush photographs of people and places accompany the text; especially beautiful are the many picturesThe Horn Book
of quilts, ranging from the modest and plain to the boldly colorful."
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"...the vibrant quilts and their proud creators are beautifully photographed, and the text is free of any trace of condescension that often accompanies discussion of folk art."Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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