Description
About this piece:
Hand-colored portraits of Young Ma Has Kah, Chief of the Ioway, and Eagle of Delight, wife of Chief Shaumonekusse of the Otoe tribe, inspired this translation to the medium of textiles and printmaking. Between 1821-22, President James Monroe invited prominent Native American chiefs, and their wives, for meetings at the White House to discuss trade and tribal assets. Some were invited to sit for original portraits by Charles Bird King, which were thereafter created as lithographs by Henry Inman. These distinctive images were an irresistible choice for further experimentation with more complex dye and print techniques, in addition to creating the quilted pages into a three dimensional work, which is reflects on this moment in history in a story telling format. Much has been written about these meetings, including the trading of gifts and jewelry, adding additional allure to these historical periods of time.
Materials:
fabric, photo emulsion, dye, ink, interfacing, threads
About the artist:
Utilizing the medium of textiles and printmaking, Patty Kennedy-Zafred creates thought provoking narratives to develop a visual dialogue with the viewer. Her work marries a lifelong fascination with photography, history, and stitch, reflecting timeless periods in the past, or personal memories. Utilizing hand dyed fabrics, textile composition and screen printed images, she creates intricate layers of surface design. Three dimensional work, in the form of quilted, stitched books, contributes to the storytelling aspect, offering installation and visual alternatives. Kennedy-Zafred’s award winning work has been exhibited in internationally recognized juried and curated exhibitions, has traveled across the United States and around the world, and is part of the permanent collections of major museums and private collections. Her work has been widely published, and she was recently honored as Master Visual Artist in Pittsburgh by the Arts Legacy Project. Kennedy-Zafred lives and works in Western Pennsylvania, which she considers offers strong support across multiple art mediums.
