The quilts in the Gee’s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt
exhibit probably have more in common with the last abstract painting exhibit you
visited than the quilts you remember your
grandmother making.

I became familiar with the quilts of Gee’s Bend several years ago through Shelly Zegart the Louisville based, internationally acclaimed American quilt expert. Zegart was a consultant to the organizers and, if I’m not mistaken, advised them both on the actual exhibit and the two accompanying books.

Obviously none of the exhibition quilts are for sale but Zegart has additional quilts from Gee’s Bend quiltmakers available for sale through her website.

I saw this exhibit when it was in Indianapolis and I’ll be seeing it again at the Speed. Highly recommended.

This
exhibition features the brilliant, bold quilts created in the
twentieth century by a group of women who live in the small, isolated
African-American community of Gee’s Bend in southwestern Alabama.
The 70 quilts in the exhibition, created by 42 women spanning
four generations, provide a fascinating look at the work of 20th-century
artists who lived and worked in solitude. Gee’s Bend is located
on a sliver of land five miles long and eight miles wide, a virtual
island surrounded by a bend in the Alabama River. Isolated geographically,
the women in the community created quilts from whatever materials
were available, in patterns of their own imaginative design. The
dynamic, abstract quilts’ innovative patterns and brilliant use
of line and color demonstrate a highly developed talent for structure
and design. Unlike abstract painters, however, the Gee’s Bend
women created their quilts out of necessity and practical considerations
rather than a conscious attempt to make art. Their focus on everyday
concerns, such as salvaging discarded fabric, recycling old clothing,
and finding ways to keep their families warm and comfortable,
makes the extraordinary aesthetic appeal of their quilts even
more remarkable.

Gee’s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt runs January 2, 2008 – March 23, 2008

Admission is $8, free to museum members.
Gallery hours are
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The museum is closed on Mondays.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208