"The Mighty Gents" by Bisa Butler uses a photograph from the archives of the Library of Congress as its basis.

One thing you can't deny about Bisa Butler's work is the style she imbues in every person that adorns her quilts. Of course, since she uses photographs as the basis of her quilts, she picks subjects that themselves have a way and personality about them that draws you in. Take for example her quilt The Mighty Gents, which was featured as part of her The World is Yours Exhibit at the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in New York City. The three boys featured are based on a photograph in the archives of the Library of Congress, taken at what time we're not sure, but their posture and poise, along with the fabulous fabrics chosen by Bisa, make you just want to stand back and admire who these people were.

Materials and Techniques Used: Cotton, Wool, and Chiffon appliquéd and quilted

Design Source: From a photograph in the archives of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives