Photograph by
Weems, Carrie Mae, American, born 1953
Subject of
Waters, Ethel, American, 1896 - 1977
Date
2009-2010
Medium
inkjet print (a): ink on photographic paper;
frame (b): acrylic, wood, wire and metal
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 11 3/4 × 8 3/4 in. (29.8 × 22.2 cm)
H x W x D (Frame): 12 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 1 1/2 in. (32.7 × 25.1 × 3.8 cm)
Description
Color inkjet print (a) of Ethel Waters in a green frame (b).
The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. The figure of Ethel Waters has her body turned away from the camera with her face looking back over her shoulder. She is smiling at the camera. Her back is bare and she is holding a red flower over her shoulder. The background is white with green leaves on the left. The original image shows Ethel Waters partially draped in lace fabric and wearing metal jewelry with diamond-shaped hanging earrings, a ring, and a bracelet. Waters is wearing pink lipstick and purple eyeshadow. The red rose and stem is fully visible from where she holds it over her shoulder.
The photograph is inset in the frame (b). The back borders of the frame are raised and have paper tape around the edges. At the top is a sticker with the TransArt International shipping label. The center portion of the frame has two white adhesive labels, one with information about the artist, Carrie Mae Weems. The other has exhibit details and the address for the Jack Shainman Gallery. Below this tag is information about the frame with cleaning instructions marked in black pen. There is a corded metal wire screwed into the frame to hang the photograph.
Portfolio/Series
Slow Fade to Black
Classification
Visual Arts
Photographs and Still Images
Type
portraits
inkjet prints
Topic
Actors
Art
Blues (Music)
Entertainers
Jazz (Music)
Photography
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in honor of Richard and Laura Parsons, Colin and Alma Powell, and Darren Walker
Object number
2017.20.4ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Carrie Mae Weems
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5928c4607-38a6-40ff-8174-23affc4cfaba

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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