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
Type
paperwork
flowers (plants)
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
A2018.36.1.15.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5705163f9-8741-46f1-b5ee-0728154dba00

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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