- 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 5/8 × 1 7/16 × 7/8 in. (27 × 3.7 × 2.3 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 and 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
- An orange handmade tissue paper rosebud flower made by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. The small paper flower is delicately constructed with intricately layered petals and a wrapped tan and green stalk.
- 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
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
- Object number
- A2018.36.1.15.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




