Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Photograph by:
Carrie Mae Weems, American, born 1953  Search this
Subject of:
Pearl Bailey, American, 1918 - 1990  Search this
Medium:
inkjet print (a): ink on photographic paper;
frame (b): acrylic, wood, wire and metal
Dimensions:
H x W (Image): 11 3/4 × 8 3/4 in. (29.8 × 22.2 cm)
H x W x D (Frame): 12 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 1 1/2 in. (32.7 × 25.1 × 3.8 cm)
Type:
portraits
inkjet prints
Date:
2009-2010
Description:
Color inkjet print (a) of Pearl Mae Bailey in a green frame (b).
The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. The figure of Pearl Mae Bailey is in the center of the photograph with her head tilted and looking off camera to the left. Bailey is wearing a strapless yellow outfit with a sweetheart neckline. She has a short necklace and there is illegible text over the middle of the image. Bailey is in front of a green background. The original image was used as her album cover art for "More Songs for Adults Only" and shows the matching drop earrings and pearl necklace that Bailey is wearing.
The photograph is inset in the frame (b). The back borders of the frame are raised and have paper tape around the edges. At the top is a sticker with the TransArt International shipping label. The center portion of the frame has two white adhesive labels, one with information about the artist, Carrie Mae Weems. The other has exhibit details and the address for the Jack Shainman Gallery. Below this tag is information about the frame with cleaning instructions highlighted in red marker. There is a corded metal wire screwed into the frame to hang the photograph.
Topic:
African American  Search this
Actors  Search this
Art  Search this
Entertainers  Search this
Photography  Search this
Singers (Musicians)  Search this
Women  Search this
Credit Line:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in honor of Richard and Laura Parsons, Colin and Alma Powell, and Darren Walker
Object number:
2017.20.7ab
Restrictions & Rights:
© Carrie Mae Weems
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series:
Slow Fade to Black
Classification:
Visual Arts
Media Arts-Photography
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bc536195-b12d-4db8-b2d5-797b47cf43ac
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2017.20.7ab