Journey of the Spirit: The Art of Gwendolyn A. Magee is published on the occasion of a traveling exhibition of the same title organized by René Paul Barilleaux and Roland L. Freeman, assisted by Robin C. Dietrick, originating at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, November 20, 2004 – January 30, 2005.
1. Magee, Gwendolyn A., 1943---Exhibitions. 2. African American quilts –Mississippi—Exhibitions. 3. Quilts—Mississippi—History—20th century—Exhibitions. I. Barilleaux, Rene Paul. II. Benberry, Cuesta. II. Freeman, Roland L., 1936- IV. Mississippi Museum of Art. V. Title.
From the Inside Flap
Gwendolyn A. Magee’s stunning quilts pay homage to the traditions of quilt making while paving the way for further innovations in the art form. Whether abstract or narrative, Magee’s quilts are visually compelling and conceptually well developed. This publication is the first to survey in depth over fifteen years of the Jackson, Mississippi based artist’s work. As the reader discovers, Magee moved quickly away from traditional quilt patterns to create what are essentially fabric and fiber "paintings." Ranging from quilts that explore patterning and abstraction to those that rely on representation and narrative, each one combines complex visual elements with brilliant colors. A suite of twelve dramatic works visualizes for the viewer the lyrics of James Weldon Johnson’s American masterpiece "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
