Designed by
Shine Shine, South African, founded 2007
Subject of
First Lady Michelle Obama, American, born 1964
Date
2009
Medium
cotton
Dimensions
H x W: 61 13/16 × 76 3/8 in. (157 × 194 cm)
Horizontal Repeat: 25 3/16 in. (64 cm)
Description
Length of commemorative printed textile by Shine Shine featuring graphic portraits of Michelle Obama surrounded by floral vines. The fabric has a mint green ground with a background print of a leafy floral vines with orange leaves, maroon flowers, and light brown vines. The design is oriented so that there is a middle section and two side sections, with the side sections mirroring each other. In the middle section the floral vine consists of blooming and bud roses. In the side sections the floral vine consists of orange fluffy petal flowers with bulbous burgundy centers. At each selvedge there is a scalloped border with a burgundy ground with small black polka dots edged in orange. Large orange fringe hangs from the upper edge of the border in front of the burgundy ground and orange edging. Printed above the border as if driving on it is an orange stretch limousine with black highlights in profile. Black text printed on the side doors reads "Shine Shine" with a black five-pointed star between the words. Above each of the cars is a drawn portrait of Michelle Obama above the chest smiling and waving with her left hand. She wears an orange shirt with burgundy collar and buttons, and a pearl necklace, earrings, and bracelet. Above the portrait is a pair of orange sunglasses with black lenses that are closed. Next to the car and portrait of Obama waving is a full-body drawn portrait of Obama seated with her feet tucked under her and her right arm draped over the back of a white leopard with black spots that is standing. Obama is smiling and speaking into the headpiece of a white telephone she holds in her left hand. She wears an orange sleeveless short nightgown, burgundy shoes, and pearl earrings. The leopard has its mouth open showing fangs with its head turned toward Obama's. An orange banner with black text is printed below the portrait that reads "DON'T STAND IN MY LIGHT". Above the portrait are printed a pair of burgundy gloves with black topstitching detail. The center section of the fabric contains the full-body portrait of Obama with the leopard oriented sideways. The portrait alternates with an orange outlined circle with a burgundy ground containing the same pair of closed orange sunglasses with black lenses. Text printed in black inside the orange border reads "NEVER GO TO BED WITHOUT WASHING YOUR DISHES". The designer's name "Shine Shine" is printed in black on one selvedge.
Place made
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa
Classification
Textiles and Quilts
Type
textiles
portraits
Topic
Africa
African diaspora
Design
Identity
Politics
Textile design
U.S. History, 2001-
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Catherine E. McKinley
Object number
2017.16.6
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b78fd5c4-98ff-407b-a3bf-228bf7a37464

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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