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
Nancy Lee Worden, Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, 2018, silver, glass, wool, plastic, nylon, fur, leather, feathers and steel, 25 in. × 18 in. × 7 12 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
Date
2018
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
25 in. × 18 in. × 7 12 in. (63.5 × 45.7 × 19.1 cm)
Copyright
© 2020, Estate of Nancy Worden
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of Nancy Worden
Mediums Description
silver, glass, wool, plastic, nylon, fur, leather, feathers and steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory
Object Number
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.


This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, 2022

Works by this artist (1 item)

Christine Sun Kim, One Week of Lullabies for Roux, 2018, seven tracks, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2020.79.1, © 2018 Christine Sun Kim. Courtesy of the artist and François Ghebaly, Los Angeles
One Week of Lullabies for Roux
Date2018
seven tracks, sound
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Joseph Hardin, Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs), ca. 1978, colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.111
Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs)
Dateca. 1978
colored pencil on paper
Not on view
William Zorach, (Untitled--Child's Head), 1925, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.8
(Untitled – Child’s Head)
Date1925
pencil on paper
Not on view
Michael Clark, Classic Series, 1970, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.3
Classic Series
Date1970
pencil on paper
Not on view
Study for the Pushover
Date1981
pencil on paper
Not on view