Matt Arnett

About the Author

Matt Arnett is a dedicated scholar and curator whose passion for African American folk art has profoundly shaped the understanding of Southern textile traditions. With a keen eye for cultural narratives woven into fabric, Arnett has devoted his career to documenting and preserving the extraordinary stories of Gee's Bend quilters, a community of resilient Black women whose improvisational quilts transcend mere craft to embody profound artistic expression. Through meticulous research and immersive fieldwork, he bridges the gap between vernacular art and mainstream recognition, advocating for the voices of marginalized creators. Arnett's work not only illuminates the historical and social contexts of these quilts but also inspires a broader appreciation for the intersections of race, gender, and creativity in American art history.