Gee’s Bend Quilt Appeal
Gee’s Bend Quilt Appeal
It is with sincere thanks to all who supported the Gee’s Bend Quilt Appeal that the NGV warmly welcomes a remarkable hand-stitched quilt by Martha Pettway to the Collection. This acquisition is significant to the Gallery given its historical importance. Pettway is regarded as one of the most influential quilters of Boykin, also known as Gee’s Bend, in Alabama. This work encapsulates the popular ‘Housetop’ pattern and represents the important quilt making traditions of Gee’s Bend.
Pettway’s intricate work dates back to the 1930s, however the origins of the Gee’s Bend quilt making traditions emerged in the early 1800s, when the community was a cotton plantation and women patchworked fabric and clothing scraps together out of necessity. The work tells a new story in the Collection, and we are incredibly grateful to all who supported this acquisition. The NGV would like to specifically acknowledge those who gave leadership gifts: Rosemary Merralls, Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM & Family, Chris & Dawn Fleischner, and Donors to the Gee’s Bend Quilt Appeal. Thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing this extraordinary work with you soon.
The NGV warmly thanks all supporters who have made gifts to help secure this significant work:
Leadership Gifts
Mrs Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM & Family
Mr Chris Fleischner & Mrs Dawn Fleischner
$100+
Mrs Deirdre K. Baker
Ms Margaret Baker & Dr Chris Baker
Mr David Ball & Mrs Mary Ball
Dr Sheena Broughton & Mr Nigel Broughton
Mrs Elizabeth Brown
Mrs J E Brown & Mr H M Brown
Mrs Rosalind Budge & Mr Keith Budge
Mr Matthew Butlin & Mrs Robyn Butlin
Ms Deborah Wildsmith & Dr Andrew Collins
Ms Karen Connolly & Mr Richard Connolly
Miss Ann Darby
Mrs Alison Donelly & Mr Bruce Donelly
Jennifer A. Elliott
Mr Thomas Fitz Gibbon & Mr Beng Oh
Mrs Tamara Fraser
Mrs Elizabeth Gateley
Ms Dorothy Graham
Ms Dawn Hales
Christine Hardidge
Mrs Jennifer Harkin
Ms Susan Harper
Mr Kim Harris
Mr Dale Hobsbawn
Ms Pamela Jackson
Ms Edith Jelinek & Mrs Aida Jelinek
Ms Barbara M Jones
Mrs Dorothee Kaiser & Mr. Jost Kaiser
Mr Martin Kent
Mrs Margaret R Kett
Mrs Louise Learmonth & Mr Simon Learmonth
Mr Harry Leather & Ms Jan Leather
Mrs Janet Leckie
Mrs Julie Lidgett
Mingjin Lin & Qiumei Wang
Dr Frances Malone
Mr Ricky Milnes & Ms Faye Byrne
Dr Liz Musgrove
Mrs Marian Neumann
Ms Jan O’Reilly
Prof. David Penington AC & Dr Sonay Hussein
Ms Susan Pennicuik
Ms Barbara Potter AM
Ms Jill Reichstein OAM
Ms Susanne Rickard
Mrs Brenda J Scanlon
Dr Anthony Scarff & Mrs Karen Scarff
Hon Jim Short and Mrs Jan Rothwell Short
Mrs Patricia Spring
Mrs Savithri Sri Skandarajah
Mr James Wator
Ms Shirley Westerberg
Ms Sue Westwood
This special program explores the remarkable history of Gee’s Bend quilts, hailing from Boykin, also known as Gee’s Bend, in Alabama, USA. This practice dates back to the 1800s and today, Gee’s Bend quilts are renowned for their vital contribution to the story of American art.
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