Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Harvey, Bessie |
Title |
Wash Woman |
Medium |
Painted wood, wood putty, synthetic hair, fabric, found objects |
Date |
1982 |
Description |
Bessie Harvey (Dallas, Georgia 1929-1994 Alcoa, Tennessee) Wash Woman, 1982 Painted wood, wood putty, synthetic hair, fabric, found objects 34 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 12 inches Knoxville Museum of Art, 2003 purchase with funds provided by KMA Collectors Circle Bessie Harvey, one of East Tennessee's most heralded self-taught artists, is noted for her magical ability to extract historical and imaginary characters from gnarled roots, branches, paint, and cloth. Many of the artist's creations celebrate the deeds of biblical heroes, or recount compelling chapters in African American history. Although her works often present themes of adversity and struggle, each contains an underlying message of human perseverance and divine compassion. Born Bessie Ruth White in 1929 in Dallas, Georgia, Harvey was the seventh of 13 children born to Homer and Rosie Mae White. Of her adverse circumstances, the artist once observed, "The story of my life would make Roots and The Color Purple look like a fairy tale. There was nothing. In the morning, you'd just get up, go looking for whatever you could find, and if you had one meal that day, then you'd made progress." While drawing strength from her mother's strong Christian faith, the artist found additional comfort in her own ability to create using her hands and ordinary objects. "I was always finding ways of making something out of nothing when I was little…I think it was God's way of making us happier children." Unlike many sculptors who chisel away wood or stone to create their works, Harvey used a process that was almost exclusively additive. As she pointed out, "I don't carve, they already shaped." With the exception of drilling an occasional set of eyeholes, the artist would only paint and embellish with glue, beads, yarn, and cloth. Although many of her creations celebrate the deeds of biblical heroes, or recount compelling chapters in African American history, this work represents a portrait of her eldest daughter while she was pregnant and struggling under the weight of her daily chores. |
Catalog Number |
2003.01.01 |
Search Terms |
Paint Wood Textile art Textiles Objects Sculpture Women Women Artists Mixed media works Assemblage |
Credit line |
Purchase with funds provided by KMA Collectors Circle |