"THEIR QUILTS HAVE CHANGED THE WAY THOSE THAT SEE THEIR QUILTS THINK ABOUT ART AND ARTISTS."
Mark Newport
Associate Professor
School of Art
Arizona State University
The Quiltmakers of Gees Bend tells a story of transformation, discovery, and affirmation, by documenting the history of a group of African American women from the rural Alabama community of Gees Bend. This exploration is triggered by the recent art world recognition these women have gained for the quilts they make. The program pieces together the history of their community, life today in Gees Bend, images of their beautiful quilts, interviews with museum directors and curators and the quilt makers’ pilgrimage to Milwaukee for the opening of a traveling exhibition of quilts from Gees Bend made between 1930 and today.
Interviews with these elderly women punctuated by black and white photographs reveal their family origins as slaves on the Pettway plantation in Gees Bend. We hear tales of ancestors being separated from their siblings and children, see photographs of African Americans working in the fields of plantations, and hear choruses from spirituals. The community experienced many changes, into a community of free people, a site for intervention by F.D.R. in the 30’s because it was amongst the poorest communities in the country, and now as a community renowned for its artistic production.
Discovery and affirmation came to the community in the person of art historian Bill Arnett. His discovery of a photograph of a quilt and its maker led him to travel to Gees Bend, to meet this artist and see her quilt. This quilt like the others made by quilt makers in the community is unlike any traditional quilts we think of when someone talks about quilts. It does not contain the traditional patterns like the log cabin or wedding ring quilts or the all over texture of a Victorian crazy quilt. These quilts use an irregular geometric patterning and color sophistication that resembles a cross between 20th century modern art and African textile traditions like Kuba and Kente cloths. Arnett’s initial visit triggered his passion for these quilts, which he describes as amongst the most amazing examples of modern art, and started a relationship with the women of Gees Bend that has brought respect and renown to the women and their quilts.
A major component of this documentary follows the women on a bus trip to Milwaukee where they attend the opening activities of the traveling exhibition of the Quilts of Gees Bend, which features their work and quilts made by their friends and relatives. In this segment, complete with footage of them seeing the exhibition, participating in panel discussions, and signing books about their quilts we feel the changes in their world. They say that they never expected anything like this to happen to them, never thought anyone would pay attention to their quilts. One talks about making money from her quilts and thinking about them as artwork instead of functional objects for her own use. It is clear that the attention paid to their quilts and the recognition and respect they have garnered for their amazing quilts has changed their lives. Equally clear from this amazing and heartwarming documentary, is the way their quilts have changed the way those that see their quilts think about art and artists.
The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend airs February 21 at 9 p.m on Channel 8.
