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Artwork Description

Until the middle of the twentieth century, most of the quilts in Gee’s Bend were made from work clothes, which, in the rural South, were simply the clothes that everyone wore nearly every day. When other fabrics became available, many women felt relief over no longer needing to wrestle these thicker and tougher materials into their patterns. Others, like Bendolph, did not mind the challenge and appreciated the meanings encoded within the old-style remnants of heavier cotton, wool, and denim. For Bendolph, in particular, the transformation of old and worn fabrics into beautiful and comforting quilts became a metaphor for surviving hard times. According to her, “They remind you of where you have been and where the Lord have brought you from.”Throughout the lexicon of African American vernacular culture, castaway objects are often used to reaffirm life, as the reinvestment of creative energy in old and outworn things suggests the possibility of turning adversity into spiritual triumph and of redeeming the socially dispossessed or human castaways of the world. The tradition of the work-clothes quilt, perpetuated by Bendolph in many of her pieces, is part of that practice. Although her contemporary patchworks are no longer made from the pathos-ridden overalls of earlier times, her recycled-denim quilts continue to evoke the same notions of loss and redemption, despair and deliverance. In an especially intriguing example from 2002, Bendolph created a brooding patchwork composed almost entirely of worn blue jean scraps. But here and there within the dark, heavy ﬁeld are passages of brilliant red. Even more paradoxical is the appearance of a few other squares of cloth printed with a delicate pink flower pattern—a symbol of regeneration.

Artist Biography

early life and inspiration

mary lee bendolph, an american quilt maker, was born in 1935 in gee's bend (boykin), alabama. growing up in a community known for its rich textile traditions, bendolph developed a deep appreciation for the art of quilting. her work is characterized by the use of fabric from used clothing, which she sees as a way to honor the "love and spirit" embodied in old cloth.

artistic contributions and influences

bendolph's quilts have been influential on subsequent quilters and artists, with her work exhibited in museums and galleries across the united states. notably, her pieces have been featured at the philadelphia museum of art and the minneapolis institute of art in minnesota. in 1999, she was highlighted in the pulitzer prize-winning article "crossing over," which explored efforts to reestablish ferry service across the alabama river.

key works and exhibitions

- **untitled (quilt)**: a seminal piece showcasing bendolph's use of repurposed fabric, now part of a private collection. - **quilts from gee's bend**: an exhibition at the OriginalUniqueArt gallery, celebrating the collective's contributions to american textile art.

legacy and impact

through her innovative approach to quilting, mary lee bendolph has not only preserved the traditions of gee's bend but also inspired a new generation of artists. her dedication to honoring the stories and emotions embedded in used fabric has elevated the medium, positioning it as a powerful tool for storytelling and community building.

explore more of mary lee bendolph's work on OriginalUniqueArt's artist page.
discover the gee's bend collective's history and influence at wikipedia.
learn about other textile artists and their contributions to art history on wahoo art timeline.

- for a deeper dive into the world of quilting and its cultural significance, visit the art of tapestry: a journey through time and culture on OriginalUniqueArt. - explore the birmingham museum of art, a hidden gem in alabama, featuring an impressive collection of over 27,000 works of art, at the birmingham museum of art (united states) - a hidden gem.

mary lee bendolph

1935 - , United States of America

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Gee's Bend Quilts
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['African American art']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Louisiana Bendolph']
Date Of Birth: 1935
Full Name: Mary Lee Bendolph
Nationality: American
Notable Artworks:
- Untitled (quilt)
- Work-clothes quilt
Place Of Birth: Georgetown, United States of America

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Work-clothes quilt

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Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Reproduction Frame

White $1

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Extended $1

P118B $10

P118H $10

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P438Z $10

P508JH $12

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W307PJ $10

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W316PJ $8

W316Y $10

W398PJ $8

W4111J $10

W500HY $15

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W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $40

H24-SILVER $40

H36-GOLD $60

H36-SILVER $60

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$ 300

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early life and inspiration

artistic contributions and influences

key works and exhibitions

legacy and impact

further reading