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The varying colors may refer to Simpson’s interest in issues about race. Simpson has said, “Through the 80s, up to the 90s, there’s a point at which I think I need to change my relationship to photography in terms of having a singular figure that appears with the back to the camera, with text, and decided to use surrogates instead.” [1] In other words, the wishbones are surrogates for the figures that had previously been the artist’s primary subject.
III relates to other pieces from Simpson’s oeuvre in which images and text are printed on felt. Interestingly, at about the time this piece was created, the artist was becoming dissatisfied with the results of printing lithographs on felt and would soon turn to silkscreen.
Simpson created III for the Peter Norton Christmas Project. [3] Every year since 1988, software developer and art collector Peter Norton has commissioned a piece from a contemporary artist to send to friends at Christmas. The commissioned artists create limited edition multiples in quantities between 2000 and 5000. Other artists who have participated in the project include Do-Ho Suh, Kara Walker, Christian Marclay, Robert Lazzarini, and Yinka Shonibare.
[1] Lorna Simpson, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uANWRutUk8
[2] Lorna Simpson, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U43hVVeT-o8
[3] Carol Kino, “Yes, Virginia, There is a Resale Market,” New York Times, December 18, 2005: A40.
Provenance1994
Barbara B. Millhouse, New York. Given as a Christmas gift from the Peter Norton Family. [1]
Notes:
[1] Loan Agreement.
Exhibition History2005-2006
Paper, Leather, Wood: Materials and African American Art of the Twentieth Century
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (11/15/2005-4/16/2006)
2007-2008
Word Play: Text and Modern Art
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (11/13/2007-5/4/2008)
DepartmentCollection of Barbara B. Millhouse
III
Artist
Lorna Simpson
(born 1960)
Date1994
MediumCedar box containing felt, ceramic, bronze, and silicone rubber
DimensionsOverall (box size): 13 1/2 × 5 5/16 × 2 1/8 in. (34.3 × 13.5 × 5.4 cm)
SignedLorna Simpson
Credit LineCourtesy of Barbara B. Millhouse
CopyrightCopyright Unknown
Object numberIL2003.1.31
DescriptionLorna Simpson’s III is an unusual piece for an artist known primarily for photography and film. A small sculptural multiple, III consists of a cedar box which must be unpacked for its contents to be revealed. When the lid of the box is removed, the viewer encounters a thick sheet of cream-colored felt. Printed on the felt using a process called waterless lithography is an image of a wishbone and the words “Wish #1/Wish #2/Wish #3.” Under the sheet of felt are three wishbones formed of bronze, ceramic, and rubber, nestled into cutouts in a bed of felt. As with most of Simpson’s work, the text provides an illuminating key to the meaning of the piece. Here, only “Wish #2” may be granted because it is the only wishbone that may be snapped.The varying colors may refer to Simpson’s interest in issues about race. Simpson has said, “Through the 80s, up to the 90s, there’s a point at which I think I need to change my relationship to photography in terms of having a singular figure that appears with the back to the camera, with text, and decided to use surrogates instead.” [1] In other words, the wishbones are surrogates for the figures that had previously been the artist’s primary subject.
III relates to other pieces from Simpson’s oeuvre in which images and text are printed on felt. Interestingly, at about the time this piece was created, the artist was becoming dissatisfied with the results of printing lithographs on felt and would soon turn to silkscreen.
Simpson created III for the Peter Norton Christmas Project. [3] Every year since 1988, software developer and art collector Peter Norton has commissioned a piece from a contemporary artist to send to friends at Christmas. The commissioned artists create limited edition multiples in quantities between 2000 and 5000. Other artists who have participated in the project include Do-Ho Suh, Kara Walker, Christian Marclay, Robert Lazzarini, and Yinka Shonibare.
[1] Lorna Simpson, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uANWRutUk8
[2] Lorna Simpson, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U43hVVeT-o8
[3] Carol Kino, “Yes, Virginia, There is a Resale Market,” New York Times, December 18, 2005: A40.
Provenance1994
Barbara B. Millhouse, New York. Given as a Christmas gift from the Peter Norton Family. [1]
Notes:
[1] Loan Agreement.
Exhibition History2005-2006
Paper, Leather, Wood: Materials and African American Art of the Twentieth Century
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (11/15/2005-4/16/2006)
2007-2008
Word Play: Text and Modern Art
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (11/13/2007-5/4/2008)
Status
Not on viewCollections