The Flint Institute of Arts is definitely a diamond in the rough. Although Flint has a reputation for a number of things, both positive and negative, the FIA is a wonderful place to experience culture in the fine arts, yet it is often overlooked. It hosts a collection of exhibits, both temporary and permanent, and it is worth checking out regularly.
One of the current exhibits is “Gee’s Bend and Beyond,” which displays the quilts of a group of African American women from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. The art of quilt-making has existed since slavery, a tradition that has been passed down through the generations. The quilts featured in this exhibit were made by Mary Lee Bendolph, one of the best-known and most respected quilt-makers of Gee’s Bend, along with quilts by her mother and daughters. It also features art by two Alabama artists, who developed themselves as artists independently. Overall, the exhibit shows that even an old tradition can change and evolve in dynamic ways without necessarily losing its traditional meanings.
Quilt-making is all about variety and diversity. The style of the quilts varies greatly depending on the style, theme, material, and the quilter himself or herself. There are specific types of quilts such as housetop, which represents the roof a log cabin from an aerial view, or bricklayer, where the boxes are sown in a fashion resembling the way bricks are laid. However, improvisation is an essential part of the Gee’s Bend quilts. So while a quilt maker may start off with a style in mind, the finished product doesn’t necessarily reflect a particular style, rather it shows the creativity of its maker. There were several variations of the housetop quilts displayed, each unique and different from the rest. In most cases the patches varied in size, color, and positioning throughout the quilt.