Attribution Incomplete Notice
Collections and items in our institution have incomplete, inaccurate, and/or missing attribution. We are using this notice to clearly identify this material so that it can be updated, or corrected by communities of origin. Our institution is committed to collaboration and partnerships to address this problem of incorrect or missing attribution.
Open to Collaborate Notice
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Artwork Details
Culture
Creation Date
Materials
Object Types
Dimensions
35 x 67-1/2 in.
Accession Number
Credit Line
Textile Arts Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Van Vorhees Art Fund, Anonymous Art II Fund and Gift of Mrs. Berniece Fee Mozingo, Helen W. Russell, Mrs. Louis Burckhardt, Mrs. Sylvia Orell in Memory of Colonel and Mrs. F.J. Keelty and Ruth Grummon
Copyright
Collection
Color Palette
Provenance
(Douglas Dawson Chicago, IL); purchased by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1998.
Gallery Labels
This skirt is worn at the close of female initiation ceremonies. The overall design is characteristic of Southern Africa. Geometric line based patterns are balanced with curved shapes. This irregular placement creates movement and energy that has been likened to American jazz. The bright primary colors, fringed edges and the movement of the wearer creates a powerful presentation.
Girls around fourteen years of age begin their transition into adulthood during an initiation process. These young women are taught domestic and sexual responsibilities. At the time of her seclusion during the initiation period, she designs and creates a skirt such as this example. It is intended to accentuate her grace and elegance when she walks and dances during initiation ceremonies. In addition to the skirt, she wears bracelets, anklets and necklaces.
Exhibition History
Exhibition Name
Venue
Dates
Beads of Life: Eastern and Southern African Adornments from the Canadian Collections
Canadian Museum of Civilization
February 20, 2005 - April 14, 2005
More from the Collection
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Artworks that appear in the image file(s) above may be in copyright or have other legal and/or cultural restrictions to their use. For clarity, Newfields does not claim copyright to the image files created by Newfields of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Newfields makes every effort to ascertain the copyright status of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Please refer to the RightsStatements.org statement above for information about the current copyright status of the artwork. Additionally, some artworks may include Local Context’s Notices or Labels that attribute cultural authority of the artwork’s heritage and data.
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