“Never Again” sits at the intersection of art and craft. The object is both a basket, made from sweetgrass and palmetto (棕榈), and an abstract sculpture. Much wider than it is tall, from a distance “Never Again” seems to be of one hue, but on closer inspection you can see that its brown, cream and green fibers change into purposeful patterns of color. Such details encourage viewers to study the work slowly, the way you might examine one of Jackson Pollock’s paintings carefully.
The piece was made by Mary Jackson, an African-American artist, in 2007. In 2008 Mrs Jackson received $500,000 to support the creation of work that both preserved “the centuries-old craft of sweetgrass basketry” and moved “the tradition in amazing new directions”.
Born in 1945, Mrs Jackson grew up in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is Gullah, a member of an ethnic group who preserve the African roots of their distinct language and culture. Mrs Jackson was introduced to traditional weaving (编织) techniques by her mother and grandmother at the age of four.
In the 1960s, after finishing school, Mrs Jackson moved to New York to find work. There, she visited the city’s museums and discovered Minimalism and Pop Art, which had a deep effect on her. When she returned to South Carolina in 1972, she picked up basketmaking again, but with a new feeling.
Her works show clear shapes and innovative dimensions. Early works, such as “Cobra with Handle”, are complex, but still usable baskets. Mid-career pieces, including “Two Lips”, reveal a delicate turn away from utility towards aestheticism (唯美主义). It is a delicate work that is ill-suited to holding rice or produce.
“I wanted to do something that was very different from what my ancestors made,” she says. “Never Again” is perhaps the best representation of her work; Mrs Jackson says she named the piece to reflect her belief that she would not be able to create another object as striking. (It took her three years to complete.) “I don’t think I’ll continue to make these baskets like how I used to, she says. Instead, approaching her 80s, she is “working on new things”.
4. What is “Never Again”?
A.It’s an appealing abstract sculpture. |
B.It’s a basket made by an African farmer. |
C.It’s patterns of color mixed for no purpose. |
D.It’s a painting created by Jackson Pollock. |
5. What influenced Mary Jackson when she lived in New York?
A.Prehistoric items. | B.Contemporary arts. |
C.Minimalism and Pop Art. | D.Jackson Pollock’s paintings. |
6. What’s the feature of the works of Mary Jackson?
A.It’s simple and practical. | B.It’s traditional and costly. |
C.It’s aesthetic and complex. | D.It’s functional and economical. |
7. Which of the following best describes Mary Jackson?
A.Shy and confident. | B.Brave and strong. |
C.Talented and innovative. | D.Ambitious and successful. |