More Gee’s Bend Quilt Exhibits & Analysis of Folk Art Promoters
February 12, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Arts & Crafts
The continued controversy about Gee’s Bend quilts and the numerous exhibits around the country seem to have increased their popularity and the familiarity of the name. To read about an exhibit at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, KY and a very balanced article, check out Do quit promoters exploit folk artists? by Diane Heilenman, in the Courier-Journal.com.
Ms. Heilenman also mentions another quilt exhibit in Louisville, African-American Art Quilts, at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.
Both shows reflect some of the clothesline look and awkward visual competitions that seem to always attend hanging big, bold quilts in large numbers. Yet both shows shine with the wonderful individuality of design that denies the prissy symmetry and careful stitches of conventional patchwork quilting.
Then she follows with an in depth report of quilts purchased, displayed, sold, and reproduced by folk art dealers and promoters.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Related articles:
PBS - The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend
Update on Gee’s Bend Quilts & Quilters
Quilters of Gee’s Bend Inspiration for a Play
