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Blocks and Strips work-clothes quilt

ca. 1950
Not on view
The overall composition of this quilt speaks of the type of improvisation that typifies Gee’s Bend quilts. Did the maker initially plan for it to be completely formed from the narrow strips of dark and light work clothes in the lower two-thirds? Could it be that she added the two plain blocks to the top after finding the lower portion was not long enough to cover a bed? Or was it always her intention to create the dynamic counterpoint between strips and blocks? Unlike some of the other Gee’s Bend quilters, little is known about Campbell. This is one of only two quilts that can be attributed to her.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Blocks and Strips work-clothes quilt
  • Artist: Emma Lee Pettway Campbell (American, Boykin, Alabama 1928–2002 Boykin, Alabama)
  • Date: ca. 1950
  • Medium: Top: cotton and cotton-polyester blend; back: cotton and polyester
  • Dimensions: 90 3/4 × 68 3/4 in. (230.5 × 174.6 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles
  • Credit Line: Gift of Souls Grown Deep Foundation from the William S. Arnett Collection, 2014
  • Object Number: 2014.548.43
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

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