Chair with Painted Cushion
Object Details
- Artist
- Ira Blount
- Date
- 20th Century
- Medium
- wood, cloth, paint, glue, and tape
- Dimensions
- 34 1/2 × 18 × 14 in. (87.6 × 45.7 × 35.6 cm)
- Cite As
- Gift of Ira Blount
- Caption
- Artist Ira Blount personalized this chair by painting a cushion to decorate the seat. Yellow painted Adinkra symbols from West African tradition adorn the black fabric, representing aphorisms of adaptation, good fortune, and life’s journey, among others. It is possible the symbols are a nod to Blount’s African American heritage. Just as the upholstery has an aesthetic and utilitarian function, for Blount crafting was both decorative and practical because the process cultivated peace of mind.
- After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.
- Accession Number
- 2011.0004.0078
- Type
- chair
- See more items in
- Anacostia Community Museum Collection
- Data Source
- Anacostia Community Museum
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Record ID
- acm_2011.0004.0078
