Artist

Mary Douglas

born Taylorsville, NC 1956
Media - douglas_mary.jpg - 89986
Courtesy Mary Douglas.
Also known as
  • Mary F. Douglas
Born
Taylorsville, North Carolina, United States
Active in
  • Statesville, North Carolina, United States
Biography

Mary Douglas believes that our history as a nation is made up of many private, personal memories embodied in souvenirs. Such memories are just as important, she feels, as the "official" history taught in our institutions. For Douglas, even the most humble objects can tell us about the cultures they come from. Her works look like mass-produced souvenirs, but are crafted with an artisan's care. "[I aspire to] the object that has traditionally graced the walls of kitchens and living rooms, providing comfort as a decorative . . . reminder of where we have been or would like to be." Artist quoted in Do Not Touch. . . (Exhibition Catalogue), 1997

Works by this artist (240 items)

View all artworks
Paul Cadmus, Night in Bologna, 1958, egg tempera on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.87
Night in Bologna
Artist
Date1958
egg tempera on fiberboard
On view
Paul Cadmus, Aspects of Suburban Life: Golf, 1936, oil and tempera on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of State, 1978.76.1
Aspects of Suburban Life: Golf
Artist
Date1936
oil and tempera on fiberboard
On view
Jared French, Margaret French, PaJaMa, Paul Cadmus, PaJaMa (Box A), ca. 1937, gelatin silver prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Margaret French, 1999.98.5.16
PaJaMa (Box A)
Artist
Dateca. 1937
gelatin silver prints
Not on view
Jared French, Margaret French, PaJaMa, Paul Cadmus, PaJaMa (Box A), ca. 1937, gelatin silver prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Margaret French, 1999.98.5.15
PaJaMa (Box A)
Artist
Dateca. 1937
gelatin silver prints
Not on view