Nettie Pettway Young

Place: Gee's Bend

Born: 1916

Death: 2010

Biography:

Nettie Pettway Young was a renowned American artist, quilter, and member of the Gee's Bend quilting collective. Born in 1916 in Gee's Bend, Alabama, she was an assistant manager of the Freedom Quilting Bee and played a significant role in promoting the art of quilting. Her work has been exhibited in several museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Nasher Museum of Art.

Early Life and Career

Nettie Pettway Young's life was marked by hardship and struggle. She grew up on a plantation, where her family worked as sharecroppers. Despite the challenges she faced, Nettie developed a keen interest in quilting, which she learned from her step-mother, Deborah Pettway Young. She began making quilts at a young age and continued to do so throughout her life.

Artistic Style and Contributions

Nettie's quilts are characterized by their unique African-American style, which reflects the cultural heritage of her community. Her work is marked by bold colors, geometric patterns, and a sense of simplicity and elegance. As a member of the Gee's Bend quilting collective, Nettie contributed to the development of a distinctive quilting tradition that has been recognized internationally.

• Her quilts have been exhibited at various museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Frist Art Museum.
• Nettie's work is included in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Nasher Museum of Art.
• She was a co-manager and quilter at the Freedom Quilting Bee, which helped to promote the art of quilting and provide economic opportunities for women in her community.

For more information about Nettie Pettway Young and her work, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/Nettie-Pettway-Young or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilts_of_Gee%27s_Bend. Her legacy continues to inspire artists and quilters around the world, and her contributions to the art of quilting remain an important part of American cultural heritage.