As a compliment to our week of work by artists concerned with transforming everyday materials into abstract works of art, here are some of the beautiful quilts from Gee’s Bend, a selection of which is currently on view at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in the exhibition Creation Story: Gee’s Bend Quilts and the Art of Thornton Dial. The New York Times has described these world-famous quilts as “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” The show is on view until September 3, 2012.
Annie Mae Young, Work-clothes quilt with center medallion of strips, 1976; denim, corduroy, synthetic blend; 108 by 76.5 inches.
Mary Lee Bendolph. “Housetop” Variation, 1998 (quilted by Essie Bendolph Pettway in 2000). Cotton corduroy, twill, polyester; 72 x 76 in. Collection of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation.
Jessie T. Pettway, Bars and string-pieced columns, 1950s;
cotton; 95 by 76 inches.