I live less than two hours from Boston and theoretically have access to all sorts of wonders. But I'm quite lazy so I don't go there that often. This time I made the effort and went to visit the Quilts of Gees Bend exhibit at the MFA.
I had heard a lot of hype from various publications about how striking and awe-inspiring the quilt designs were. You know what? It's all true. I'm so glad I went.
Gee's Bend is a small isolated rural African-American community in Alabama. From the 1930s on, they were pretty much left to their own devices by the outside world. They already had an established quilting style not unlike that of other African-American quilters, but they seem to have continued to quilt and perfect their craft long after other communities had dropped it. I suspect that between the isolation and some extra leisure time that occurred as progress gradually trickled in, the perfect conditions were created for an artist's colony.
That said, the Spousal Unit asked me why this particular group received so much attention and I really don't know. One of quilter's names seemed very familiar to me and it was mentioned that she was known as an individual artist in her own right and she was living outside of Gee's Bend. It would not surprise me if this person had gotten famous (famous in an fine traditional craft circles anyway) and interest was piqued once it was determined that it wasn't just one person, that there was a whole underlying tradition.
If my half-rememberings and guess are correct, people like this serve in a sense as "immigrants". It is easier for others to start interacting with the outside world once they see one of their own do it successfully.
Also, I think the Gee's Been exhibit has drawn a lot of attention because it is exactly the sort of thing that appeals to the modern fine crafter. I don't know a single crafter or artist who doesn't secretly believe the world would be a better place if everyone could be persuaded to engage in some creative pursuit. The idea of an entire *community* where fine handwork is valued, wow.
People are so worried about making something "pretty" rather than developing their own style. In contrast, the Gee's Bend quilting community places a particular emphasis on improvisation and individuality. Like many other crafters, I would rather someone make something from a kit than not make something at all, but I wish that more people were brave enough to simply mess around and enjoy the process.
