REALLY FREE!
THE RADICAL ART OF
NELLIE MAE ROWE


Born in Fayette County, Georgia, at the turn of the twentieth century, Rowe discovered her passion for art-making early on, producing drawings and cloth dolls as a child. However, the demands of her family farm, an early marriage, and decades of employment as a domestic laborer made it difficult for Rowe to create for many decades. After the deaths of her second husband and her longtime employers in the 1960s, Rowe wholeheartedly returned to her art, devoting the rest of her life to realizing her creative calling. Her dedication resulted in a practice that was immersive, idiosyncratic, and joyous.

Creative Director: Adam O’Reilly
Exhibition Design: Sonjie Solomon
Curator: Catherine Morris, Jenée-Daria Strand
Project Manager: Lauren Bierly
Photographer: Danny Perez