Images(6)

Reflections of an Aurora Woman

Object number2015.61.1 a,b

Artist Vanessa German

Date2009

MediumWood; Paint; Plastic; Metal; Fabric; Paper; Ink; Adhesive; Shell; Plant material

Credit LineGift of Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh

DescriptionSculpture of a female African figure on top of a painted white base with a red wood box mounted on head. The sculpture is made primarily of found objects adhered together in various ways. Red painted wood box mounted atop head. Front of box has color bust portrait image of a female framed behind plastic glazing. Box has two hinges on the proper right side and a gold-tone metal latch on the proper left side. The front of box opens outward revealing numerous objects inside including a handkerchief, bookmark, book of New Testament Psalms and Proverbs, a magnet with President Barack Obama and the First Family on front, an envelope with photo inside, a Girl Scouts patch, two poems, and a fabric measuring tape. Back of box has color image of a group of African American women. Between the box and the figure's head are two gold hands and a brown fabric flower with purple center. Head, face, and hair are painted brown with a white cowrie shell for mouth. Grass fan mounted on figure's back, the fan is colored a yellow, red, green, and natural brown. Figure wears dress made of various materials and fabrics including a necktie, embroidered cloths, and knit cloths. Around the neck are strings of beads, shells, a key, a clip-on earring, pins, identification tags, charms, a ring with turquoise stone, and buttons. Over each shoulder is white and gray knitting; the proper left shoulder knitting has red and turquoise crochet hooks attached. On the back of the dress at center is a pinback button with a color image of President Barack Obama. Round covered basket made of plant material hangs from proper left side of the figure and contains unknown objects. Corsage of fabric and plastic vegetables pinned to the proper right side of the figure. Hands and feet are painted black. Strings of beads around wrists. Legs are wrapped in fabric. Figure holds an open book in the proper right hand; the front of the book has black text "AFRICAN / LOVE POEMS / AND PROVERBS"; book is open to "SWAHILI LOVE / SONG" on left folio and "LOVE DANCE SONG" on right folio; green fabric ribbon bookmark down center of pages with heart charm at end. Figure stands on three stacked books that sit atop a rectangular wood base with four bulbous feet. All of the books and base are painted white. Top front edge of top book has an angel charm over a paper angel decoration. The middle book has multi-colored fabric on the spine with gold embroidered text "GHANA". Bottom book's spine has a paper with color drawing of a rhinoceros and plants. Black velvet pouch with drawstring closure. Contains numerous objects including a 1-Euro coin, a 20-cent-Euro coin, a Steelers charm in shape of Hines Ward jersey #86, a bracelet with heart charm, and a necklace or bracelet with five heart charms. The pouch is goes in the left hand of the figure.Dimensions(a)
Height 40,
Width at base 11.25,
Width at widest point 13.5,
Depth at base 8.75,
Depth at deepest point 16.
(b) Height 3.75, Width 4.125, D 1.
InscriptionsNumerous objects have text:

Figure holds an open book in the proper right hand; the front of the book has black text "AFRICAN / LOVE POEMS / AND PROVERBS"; book is open to "SWAHILI LOVE / SONG" on left folio and "LOVE DANCE SONG" on right folio.

The middle book in the base has multi-colored fabric on the spine with gold embroidered text "GHANA".

Historical NotesThis original sculpture by artist Vanessa German was presented to the Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh upon their one-hundred and twentieth anniversary in 2015. The sculpture incorporates found objects donated by current Aurora members. The Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh was founded in 1894 by six women who sought to "pursue a systematic course of study for the mutual improvement of the membership in literature, art, sciences, and matters relating to the vital interest of the day." Vanessa German is a multidisciplinary artist based in the Homewood community of Pittsburgh.Label TextArtist Vanessa German, based in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood, created this sculpture for the Aurora Reading Club in honor of its 120th anniversary. The piece incorporates found objects donated by Aurora members. Founded by six women in 1894, the club sought to "pursue a systematic course of study for the mutual improvement of the membership in literature, art, sciences, and matters relating to the vital interest of the day".

Previous owner Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh (founded 1894)

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