ANONYMOUS . usa (05) . gee’s bend quilt

A sort of inland island, Gee’s Bend is surrounded on three sides by the Alabama River. The 700 residents of this small rural community are mostly descendants of slaves who for generations worked in the fields owned by the local Pettway plantation. Since the middle of the 19th century, the women of this community have been creating very personal quilts that bear witness to African-American art history. These Gee’s Bend quilts carry on the old tradition of home and family textiles. The art of Gee’s Bend is distinguished by the geometric improvisation; the quilts are made up of recycled work clothes, dresses, bags and scraps of fabric.