Wonderland

Miriam Schapiro, Wonderland, 1983, acrylic, fabric and plastic beads on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 1996.88
Miriam Schapiro, Wonderland, 1983, acrylic, fabric and plastic beads on canvas, 90144 12 in. (228.6367.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 1996.88

Artwork Details

Title
Wonderland
Date
1983
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
90144 12 in. (228.6367.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of an anonymous donor
Mediums Description
acrylic, fabric and plastic beads on canvas
Subjects
  • Occupation — domestic
  • Figure female — full length
  • Dress — accessory — apron
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — house
Object Number
1996.88

Artwork Description

The fabric--which is really, in a larger sense, the fabric of my life--was so important to me.
--Miriam Schapiro

Wonderland is a celebration of home life. In the center, the embroidered image of a woman inside a home welcomes us inside. The surrounding swirl of quilt blocks, aprons, and cutouts of teacups represent pieces of domestic life.
Miriam Schapiro's feminine collages--what she called "femmages"--use traditional crafts, such as embroidered handkerchiefs, and painted whimsical imagery, like hearts and flowers, to challenge sexist perceptions of sentimentality. By turning these seemingly frivolous objects and pastimes into large-scale, intentional works of art, Schapiro empowers and legitimizes women's experiences, femininity, and creativity within domestic work.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Miriam Schapiro, Dollhouse, 1972, wood and mixed media, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 1997.112A-B
Dollhouse
Date1972
wood and mixed media
On view
Miriam Schapiro, Popova, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova, Popova and Me, 1992, screenprint on custom-made paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ronald Abramson and Walter Fatzinger, 1993.36.4, © 1992, Miriam Shapiro
Popova, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova, Popova and…
Date1992
screenprint on custom-made paper
Not on view
Miriam Schapiro, Goncharova, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova, Popova and Me, 1992, screenprint on custom-made paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ronald Abramson and Walter Fatzinger, 1993.36.3, © 1992, Miriam Shapiro
Goncharova, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova, Popova…
Date1992
screenprint on custom-made paper
Not on view
Miriam Schapiro, Sonia Delaunay, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova, Popova and Me, 1992, screenprint on custom-made paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ronald Abramson and Walter Fatzinger, 1993.36.2, © 1992, Miriam Shapiro
Sonia Delaunay, from the portfolio Delaunay, Goncharova,…
Date1992
screenprint on custom-made paper
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2019.15 - SAAM-2019.15_1 - 137377
Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women
May 31, 2024January 5, 2025
The artists in Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women mastered and subverted the everyday materials of cotton, felt, and wool to create deeply personal artworks.