The Safety Patrol

Description

The Safety Patrol considers the potential of seven children as future caretakers of the world. The boy in the center stands in front of his classmates, wearing a sash that signals his role helping other children safely cross the street. His outstretched arms reinforce his duty to lead and protect and his facial expression registers that he is poised and not afraid of what lies ahead. As the artist has noted, the letters OK printed diagonally on his shirt and the yellow eye on his left side simultaneously ward off evil forces and forecast that the children are prepared for the future and will be alright.

Provenance

The artist; consigned to Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, 2018; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2019.

The Safety Patrol

Bisa Butler

2018

Accession Number

249299

Medium

Cotton, wool, and chiffon; appliquéd and quilted

Dimensions

210.8 × 229 cm (83 × 90 in.)

Classification

textile

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Cavigga Family Trust Fund