Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Harvey, Bessie |
Title |
Seven Sisters of the World |
Medium |
painted wood, wood putty, found objects |
Date |
late 1980s |
Description |
Bessie Harvey (Dallas, Georgia 1929-1994 Alcoa, Tennessee) Seven Sisters of the World, late 1980s Mixed media on wood 12 x 6 1/2 x 4 inches each Knoxville Museum of Art, 2004 gift of Glady and Ross Faires 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. In this work Harvey celebrates feminine power and beauty in cultures worldwide. 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. |
Catalog Number |
2004.03.04 |
Search Terms |
Wood Sculpture Textiles Paint Objects Women Women Artists Mixed media works Assemblage |