Gee’s Bend is on a former plantation roughly 40 miles outside...

Gee’s Bend is on a former plantation roughly 40 miles outside Selma, Alabama and was once considered one of the poorest communities in the United States. Most of the inhabitants are descendants of the slaves who originally worked the plantation and due to their relative isolation they developed a distinctive tradition of quilt making that dates to their ancestors arrival on slave ships in the mid 19th century. ⠀
⠀
In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. came to community and encouraged citizens to join him in a march for voter’s rights to Selma. In retaliation the ferry service, one of the only connections to the outside world, was discontinued and would remain so for over 50 years. While canceling the ferry service was devasting in many ways it did have the unintended consequence of further preserving the cultural continuity of the community and their unique expression. Many of the quilts were created “My Way” and are abstract and improvisational displaying featuring imperfections, unusual colors and unexpected patterns. Interest in the quilters and their tradition began to grow at the end of the 20th century and they would came to global prominence at the beginning of the 21st century when they began to be exhibited in major museums. These powerful and distinctive quilts are now widely regarded as one of the most important Black contributions to American art.⠀
⠀
📷: @soulsgrowndeep⠀
Souls Grown Deep is a non profit that has been invaluable in promoting these artists and preserving their history. Please visit their site to learn more about these women and their art or to donate to the work they do. Check out our stories for images of some of the spectacular quilts in their archive.⠀
⠀
Doing similar work at a grassroots level is the “Black Arts Legacy Fund”, launched by @astheylay in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in support of black LGBTQ & women artists in need. as they lay is a fluid art platform founded by artist @abdu__ali dedicated to nourishing and supporting young Black artists. Take a moment to visit them as well for more information, view programming, and consider donating to this young organization with a mission. (at Gee’s Bend)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_JSe1H2cH/?igshid=m3zsa40dr6i1

from Heirloom https://ift.tt/304Bg0j