Prints, Drawings, and Photographs Reversed Evidence Made in United States, North and Central America1992 Willie Cole, American, born 1955 Flatiron scorches and padding on paper Currently not on view 1993-17-1 Purchased with the Hunt Corporation (formerly Hunt Manufacturing Co.) Arts Collection Program, 1993 |
LabelSince the late 1980s, Cole has created numerous works consisting of scorch marks on paper, canvas, or ironing board covers, in which a pattern is burned into the support with an old-fashioned flatiron. The rich, dark tones of the burnt patterns often resemble African textiles, and although they have a contemporary look, the scorch pieces inherently allude to African ritualistic beliefs and activities-such as scarification or fire myths-and to the role of domestic labor, such as ironing, in the African American experience. In some instances, like this example, the work is encased in an old window frame. |
