The Quilts of Gee's Bend - by Susan Goldman Rubin (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Since the early nineteenth century, the women of Gee's Bend in southern Alabama have created ... quilts. In the only photo-essay book about the quilts of Gee's Bend for children, ... Susan Goldman Rubin explores the history and culture of this ... group of women and their unique quilting traditions"--Amazon.com.

Book Synopsis

Share the extraordinary creative legacy of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama, whose improvisational quilts have been recognized globally as one of the most important contributions to American art history.

This gorgeous 56-page book is especially for readers 8 to 12 but will be appreciated by all ages. It celebrates the collective genius of these quilters, descendants of the enslaved people who lived on the former cotton plantation, who transformed necessity into stunning, abstract artistry.

More than just a catalogue, this book is an intimate journey into the history, lives, and unique aesthetic language of the women of the Gee's Bend collective, located in a remote Black community on the Alabama River. Their work, often compared to masterpieces of modern art by artists like Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian, is characterized by:

• Bold Improvisation: A distinctive style that defies traditional quilting patterns, utilizing asymmetry, startling color combinations, and recycled materials like denim and work clothes.
• Deep Heritage: A powerful visual link to African American history, traditional textile work, and the resilience of a rural community.
• The Quilters' Voices: Featuring compelling portraits of the artists and original interviews that tell their stories in their own words, providing crucial context for the art they created.

This book is an essential visual archive for artists, art historians, textile enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the profound beauty and enduring power of American folk art.

A map, directions on how to make a quilt square, endnotes, and an index round out this stunning nonfiction book.

Review Quotes

**STARRED REVIEW**
"A handsome volume to enchant a new generation of readers and artists."-- "Kirkus"

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Writing with awareness of broad social forces as they affected the residents of Gee's Bend, Rubin offers a concise account of local history while seamlessly weaving quilters' reminiscences of family, community, poverty, and memorable events into an informative narrative. . . A colorful introduction to a uniquely American subject."
-- "Booklist"

"...the vibrant quilts and their proud creators are beautifully photographed, and the text is free of any trace of condescension that often accompanies discussion of folk art."-- "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

"A celebration of fellowship and ingenuity...Rubin traces the quilters' history alongside their struggle for civil rights and a steadily improving quality of life."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Combining history, memoir, and quilting, this fascinating portrait of an indomitable community will appeal to readers, artists, and crafters of all ages."-- "School Library Journal"

"Lush photographs of people and places accompany the text; especially beautiful are the many pictures
of quilts, ranging from the modest and plain to the boldly colorful."-- "The Horn Book"

About the Author

Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of many biographies for young people, including Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People and Hot Pink: The Life and Fashions of Elsa Schiaparelli. She lives in Malibu, California.