after their arrival and still jet-lagged and weary, ann and dabney with their friend, lucie, attended a lecture and performance by the quilters of gee's bend. you can read a history of gee's bend and the quilters at the tinwood alliance. most of the quilters introduced themselves and talked a little bit about their quilts. they usually began like this, "my name is annie mae. i am 83 and i walked from selma to montgomery. and i thank god i am here with you today..." collectively, the group of women sang, clapped, swayed and told their stories in a remarkably genuine and unrehearsed way.
even after appearing at the whitney in new york, and receiving acclaim in numerous major newspapers across the country, the women were so humble to be there, and couldn't believe their quilts were hanging on the wall for people to look at, let alone admire. it was said that only a few were just now beginning to think of themselves as artists.
the quilts themselves are so much more striking in person. you can see the actual hand-torn pieces and strips taken from scrap work clothes or leftover fabric. instead of the usual log cabin or wedding ring patterns widely seen in this country, the most powerful quilts were those pieced in totally unexpected and surprising ways. yet they still made so much sense at the same time.
the women of gee's bend and their unique quilts are particularly striking when you think about the context of slavery, which sought to strip black people of their property, community ties, dignity and sense of self. it is no surprise that the themes of individuality and improvisation are stressed throughout the exhibit. one woman was said to have removed herself from the local quilting bee in order to maintain her sense of self in her work. those still in the bee played off each other's styles - kind of like jazz.
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