rectangular strips of various sizes with denims, pale purple, and tan square at center right; larger strips of blue, pale green, tan, cream, and black and white gingham at edges; white backing; Velcro heading band

%C2%A9 Nellie Mae Abrams %2F Artists Rights Society %28ARS%29%2C New York

"Housetop" quilt, c. 1970

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On View in Gallery 303expand_more

Nellie Mae Abrams was born in 1946 in Gee’s Bend. She and her mother developed

their distinctive quilting styles in a broader community of artists who lived and worked in
Gee’s Bend, a rural community in Alabama now known for its inventive quilting style.
Nellie Mae Abrams started her “Housetop” quilt with a solid block of blue fabric. She joined
yellow strips of fabric on two sides of the square, and continued adding strips around that
original block until she declared the quilt complete. The loose pattern of dancing squares
made room for unexpected compositional choices, like the red striped cloth in the border of this quilt.

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Details
Title
"Housetop" quilt
Artist Life
1946 - 2005
Role
Maker
Accession Number
2019.16.3
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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rectangular strips of various sizes with denims, pale purple, and tan square at center right; larger strips of blue, pale green, tan, cream, and black and white gingham at edges; white backing; Velcro heading band

© Nellie Mae Abrams / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork. (You'll have to come see it in person.)