Africa

Joyce Scott, Africa, ca. 1980, glass beads on synthetic thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.58, © ca. 1980, Joyce Scott
Copied Joyce Scott, Africa, ca. 1980, glass beads on synthetic thread, 14 121012 in. (36.825.41.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003), 2003.58, © ca. 1980, Joyce Scott

Artwork Details

Title
Africa
Artist
Date
ca. 1980
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 121012 in. (36.825.41.3 cm)
Copyright
© ca. 1980, Joyce Scott
Credit Line
Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003)
Mediums Description
glass beads on synthetic thread
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure group
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
  • African
Object Number
2003.58

Artwork Description

Joyce Scott associates her beadwork with American Indian, African American, and West African cultures. Scott grew up in Baltimore and trained in fine art and art history. Drawing on past generations of craftspeople in her family, she adapts the traditions of handcrafted beadwork to create edgy imagery that often suggests issues of race and gender. The expressive faces in Africa appear to tell a story, but Scott invites us to form our own ideas about what the piece means. She used the "peyote" stitch to craft the necklace, a technique that derives from American Indian beadwork. The name comes from the peyote cactus, which is eaten during spiritual ceremonies with a beaded utensil.

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