Private Affair I

Description

The noted Chicago artist Claire Zeisler was a sculptor who, worked off the loom, handled fiber as others handle wood, metal or stone. In this work, a cascade of tightly knotted and wrapped strands of natural hemp falls into a whorl of loose ends that form the base. The simplicity of the natural hemp is enhanced by the flawless craftsmanship, which was inspired by Pre-Columbian textile techniques and the American Indian woven baskets Zeisler collected throughout her life.

Provenance

The artist, Chicago [Invoice, Jan. 13, 1987; incoming receipt RX16361, Dec. 17, 1986; copies in curatorial object file]; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1986.

Private Affair I

Claire Zeisler Studio

1986

Accession Number

65209

Medium

Hemp; knotting (multiple chain knots); twisted and wrapped cords; cut fringe

Dimensions

345.5 × 307.4 × 292.1 cm (136 × 121 × 115 in.)

Classification

fiber art

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Marian and Samuel Klasstorner Endowment