Created by
Wallace, Herman, American, 1941 - 2013
Subject of
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, American, founded 1835
Date
after 1972
Medium
paper (fiber product) and cloth
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 1 3/8 × 1 3/16 in. (27.5 × 3.5 × 3 cm)
Caption
According to the artist Maria Hinds, who collaborated with Herman Wallace and the photographer Matthew Thompson on the project Surviving Solitary, Wallace loved flowers, particularly roses. He once shared a story about trying to grow flowers and plants in his cell which failed miserably due to the lack of natural light and soil. He did manage to get a potato to grow some roots in a cup of water. This rose was made by manipulating pieces of paper which were dyed or colored using whatever pens and markers he had access to. The detailed leaves were cut out using a (contraband) razor blade and nail clippers. Wallace gifted a number of similar paper flowers to supporters over the years, one of the many ways he continued to engage in social and political life despite his confinement.
Description
A red handmade paper rosebud flower made by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. The flower is constructed of red paper wrapped in a concentric pattern and folded to resemble petals, a green paper stem with intricately detailed green leaves and brown thorns made of tiny bits of twisted paper.
Place used
Angola, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Herman Wallace Archival Collection
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Type
paperwork
make-dos
Topic
American South
Craftsmanship
Design
Men
Nature
Prisons
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
Object number
A2018.36.1.15.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b8715f1b-5a3f-41ca-a11a-29849feb2029

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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