Gee's Bend: Equal Justice

An extraordinary 1000-piece puzzle that portrays an intricate, geometric-patterned quilt in mesmerizing shades of teal, lavender, pink, and royal blue stitched by Essie Bendolph Pettway, a member of the historic Gee's Bend quilting community, and published by Paulson Fontaine Press in Berkeley, California.

Michal Kimmelman of the New York Times described the quilts from Gee's Bend as "some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced." The Gee's Bend community has a history of quilting that goes back to its formerly enslaved ancestors. The quilts, originally intended for comfort and household use, are celebrated for their bold abstract patterns and dramatic colorways.

This 20 x 26-inch puzzle, featuring a quilt pieced together in glowing shades of royal blue, lavender, pink, and teal, is a superb example of this tradition. As you assemble it you will see a work of art come together under your hands.

Essie Bendolph Pettway, born in 1956 as the only daughter of Mary Lee Bendolph and Rubin Bendolph, began quilting at the age of eight. She has been a featured quiltmaker in the exhibitions The Quilts of Gee's Bend; Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt; and Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee's Bend Quilts, and Beyond, which have been on display across the country at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, both Houston and Boston, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others.

Paulson Fontaine Press specializes in limited edition intaglio prints. Head Printer Pam Paulson founded Paulson Fontaine Press in 1996. Partner and Gallery Director Rhea Fontaine is one of the first Black women to publish fine art prints by contemporary artists. Dedicated to contributing to the image archive of African diaspora artists, Paulson Fontaine Press has published more than 150 editions with Black artists.