Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Nancy Lee Worden, Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, 2018, silver, glass, wool, plastic, nylon, fur, leather, feathers and steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Estate of Nancy Worden, 2021.54.1, © 2020, Estate of Nancy Worden
Copied Nancy Lee Worden, Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, 2018, silver, glass, wool, plastic, nylon, fur, leather, feathers and steel, 25 in. × 18 in. × 7 1⁄2 in. (63.5 × 45.7 × 19.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Estate of Nancy Worden, 2021.54.1, © 2020, Estate of Nancy Worden

Artwork Details

Title
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Artist
Date
2018
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
25 in. × 18 in. × 7 1⁄2 in. (63.5 × 45.7 × 19.1 cm)
Copyright
© 2020, Estate of Nancy Worden
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of Nancy Worden
Mediums
Mediums Description
silver, glass, wool, plastic, nylon, fur, leather, feathers and steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory
Object Number
2021.54.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2021.54.1

Artwork Description

The Me Too movement of 2017 encouraged victims of sexual abuse and harassment to share their stories and make demands for accountability. Nancy Worden reflected on her own memories of sexual harassment as she crafted this necklace, subverting its status as a luxury item into a relevant political statement. The coin purses reference the crude euphemism for a woman’s vagina, while the work gloves make visceral the feeling of unwanted touch. In Worden’s experience, claims of sexual harassment were often dismissed, but the victims never forgot. 
The artwork encompasses Worden’s study of the lived experiences of American women through jewelry.


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