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2. Crayfish serving dish
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.68
In China, crayfish are known as dragon-shrimp and symbolize riches, married bliss and harmony.
Shou is the Chinese character symbolizing longevity or immortality. There are over 100 various ways to represent this symbol. The shou character is often depicted with other symbols of longevity, like the bat and crane. When the two are given as a wedding gift, they symbolize a wish for many years of married life.
1. Teapot
ca. 20th century
Pewter, jade, Yixing clay
94.39.11
2. Peach-shaped lacquered box
ca. 20th century
Lacquer, papier-mâché, red and gold paint
97.40.156
In terms of the decorative arts, lacquerware refers to variety of techniques used to decorate wood, metal or other surfaces.
3. Round box
ca. 20th century
Lacquer, board, metal hinges, gold paint
97.40.166
4. Bracelet
ca. 20th century
Carnelian, silver
97.40.316
5. Pair of spoons
ca. 20th century
Metal
97.40.143ab
Robert Ault
"City Roots"
Acrylic on canvas with collage
Gift of Nathan and Jewell Uhr
TSCPL Permanent Collection; 2004.35.1
The progression of our world through underground thought (ideas from within) is made visible through art. Our unique interpretations and invention drive us. These roots of creation are the same roots that lead to civilization.
The crane is believed to live a very long life, so it is a symbol for longevity. Next to the phoenix, it is the second most important winged animal in the Chinese pantheon of animals. A pair of cranes is a symbol of long marriage and ultimate longevity.
A rooster is the symbol for reliability, epitome of fidelity and punctuality. Since the Chinese pronunciation for the rooster’s crest is the same as official, it is also a symbol of advantage. To give a rooster as a gift is to wish someone luck in attaining public office or a promotion.
2. Pair of crane candlesticks
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.78ab
Smithsonian Institution NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY at 8th and F Street, NW, Washington DC on Sunday afternoon, 9 February 2014 by Elvert Barnes Photography
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE Permanent Exhibition
Paul Peck Gallery
Visit NPG / THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE website at www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/struggle/index.html
Elvert Barnes FEBRUARY 2014 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Project
DETAIL
Gordon Parks
Fort Scott KS
Pool Hall (1949)
Gelatin silver photograph
2005.21
I picked this because I love non-fiction storytelling. For me, narratives about real people and real places trump fantasy. As this is the work of Gordon Parks, we might assume these men could bend our ear on racism, civil rights, good food, friends and music, and a critical American experience I personally couldn’t know first-hand. Gordon Parks preserved part of this story, and by doing so, left historians with superior, primary visual source material for future study about African-American history in the early-to-mid 20th century.
–Heather Kearns
This photograph has many strong visual aspects starting with body language and facial expressions. I am most fascinated by the darkness of the interior contrasted by the day’s light. The postures of the figures leaning in the doorway suggest they are about to leave or perhaps they’re taking a break. These men are real and I imagine their stories are as well. I would love to sit down with these guys and learn from their experiences.
–Trish Nixon
DETAIL
Peggy Gotthold & Lawrence Van Velzer
Herakles and the Eurystheusian Twelve-Step Program, 2009
Paper, letterpress, twine, thread, leather, fabric
Edition of 110: Foolscap Press, Santa Cruz, CA
TSCPL Permanent Collection
If you read your Greek mythology you’ll find that everything I’ve written about Herakles is true. The twelve-step program I’ve written about is what at the time would have been called a set of Labors. Eurystheus didn’t have a lot of research to fall back on. He had to make it up as he went along. You have to give the man credit.
Pam Parker, Becky Florence and President Witt prepare for the official presentation of the Paul R. Jones Collection to The University of Alabama.
Fahamu Pecou, "Giant Robot," 2006; and Benny Andrews, "Danny," 1984, part of the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at The University of Alabama.
American Red Cross Nurse uniforms on loan from the Kansas Capital Area.
We partnered this year to raise needed supplies for area veterans and sent holiday postcards to service members overseas.
DETAIL
Bush knife. Liberia, Loma. Steel and brass. Gift of Diana Hawks. Arrows. East Africa. Wood, feather, removable steel barbs. On loan from Gary K. Clarke, Cowabunga Safaris
Slipper, China
Wood, embroidered silk; 20th c.
Gift of Annie B. Sweet
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Permanent Collection, S-26
The dragon is a symbol of male vigor, fertility, ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune. It is the symbol of the Emperor. The dragon, as a divine mystical creature, is the symbol of the natural world, adaptability and transformation.
A phoenix is the symbol of virtue, duty, correct behavior, humanity, reliability, strength, resilience, good fortune and luck. The phoenix is considered to be the most important of the winged animals, a symbol of yin in the yin-yang energy.
3. Phoenix plate
ca. 20th century
Metal
97.40.124
Sun Kyoung Kim
USA
Finger Ring (2005)
Mixed media, resin and sterling silver
2007.26
Finger Ring is quite unusual. To me, this piece is about merging identity with technology. I can’t help but think of the future and how one’s identity will be an extension of the virtual world. I love the fact that this piece can be worn.
–Trish Nixon
Evans's "Roadside Store, Vicinity Greensboro," 1935; Weems's "Shoes under Bed/Hat on Bed," 1992; and Morgan's "Extending Privileges," 2001.
5. Fish serving dish
ca. 20th century
Pewter, glass, brass
97.40.66
Fish are a symbol of abundance and wealth. According to Chinese legend, if a large carp can jump over the pond, he can become a dragon. Chinese scholars used this legend to express their desire to pass the official exams and gain an office.
Smithsonian Institution NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY at 8th and F Street, NW, Washington DC on Sunday afternoon, 9 February 2014 by Elvert Barnes Photography
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE Permanent Exhibition
Paul Peck Gallery
Visit NPG / THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE website at www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/struggle/index.html
Elvert Barnes FEBRUARY 2014 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Project
4/150: Frye W. Giles’ Thirty Years in Topeka: 1865-1885, original publication, Topeka, KS, Geo. Crane and Publishers, 1886. Frye Giles was one of the original nine founders.
5/150: Sara T. L. Robinson, Kansas: Its Interior and Exterior Life, Including A Full View of its Settlement, Political History, Social Life, Climate, Soil, Productions, Scenery, Etc., Boston: Crosby, Nichols and Company, 1856, 6th edition. Sara was the wife of Charles Robinson, both founders of Lawrence, Kansas. Charles Robinson later became governor of Kansas.
INTERIOR
3/150: Edward Everett Hale’s Kanzas and Nebraska, was published in August of 1854, with the sanction of the New England Emigrant Aid Company. It is the first book ever published about Kansas. Its purpose was to encourage pioneers to move to Kansas, settle there, and ensure that Kansas would become a Free State. While the NEEAC was intended to be a for-profit company, few people bought stock in it. Hale earned a little over $200 in royalties, and the company lost $108.
Smithsonian Institution NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY at 8th and F Street, NW, Washington DC on Sunday afternoon, 9 February 2014 by Elvert Barnes Photography
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE Permanent Exhibition
Paul Peck Gallery
Visit NPG / THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE website at www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/struggle/index.html
Elvert Barnes FEBRUARY 2014 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Project
DETAIL
England
Shedding Light (2005)
Paper, Braille text, printing, felt
Edition of 150
The Bookery, London, England
2009.27
Heather’s book challenges us to look at books and reading in a different way. The reader has to figure out the coded message to decipher the text. The artist has given us a way to read the book, but it’s still not easy.
–Brea Black
11/150: William H. Bratton discharge, 1883 Bratton was a northeast soldier, the great-great grandfather of Phillip Menninger. Inside the case are campaign and reunion buttons. Gift of the Menninger Foundation 2003.27.35
Accompanying text for Michael Almond's, "The Contrary Garden Gates".
Curate This! is a mentorship program where area high school students are instructed in the various skills needed to work in a gallery workplace.
Part classroom and part independent study, we are willing to work with instructors to monitor student progress and credit her/him for grading purposes.
Contact our museum educator, Betsy Roe, if you or someone you know is interested in participating in 2014: 785-580-4577 (or) eroe@tscpl.org.
DETAIL
Kenya, Maasai
Moran shield
Wood, leather
On loan from Gary K. Clarke, Cowabunga Safaris
Gary K. Clarke is Director Emeritus of the World Famous Topeka Zoo, and President-for-Life of Cowabunga Safaris. Gary led more than 139 photographic safaris to Africa, many of them to Kenya and Tanzania. In the process, he got to know the Maasai people of the region. In 2002, he took his 100th safari to the Oltukui Mara clan’s area. Because he had brought so many people to their region, this clan initiated Gary as an honorary elder, giving him the name “Ole Ishu“ (He Who Gives).
DETAIL
Linda K. Johnson
They Said, 2007
Letterpress, fabric, thread
Edition of 8
TSCPL Permanent Collection
They Said: their age at diagnosis.
They Said: they are cancer free.
They Said: remember my mother, sister, wife, friend and daughter.
In 2015, the Walker celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding as a public art center dedicated to presenting and collecting the art of our times. Curated by the Walker’s executive director Olga Viso and guest curator Joan Rothfuss, the exhibition looks at 75 years of collecting at the Walker—a history distinguished not only by bold and often risk-taking choices but also acquisitions that have consistently breached the boundaries of media or disciplines.
Art at the Center: 75 Years of Walker Collections is on view from October 16, 2014 to September 11, 2016 in Galleries 4, 5, 6.
Curators: Olga Viso and Joan Rothfuss, with Andrew Blauvelt, Jill Vuchetich, and Mia Lopez