Black Gold Bags, 2003

Donald Fels
(American, born 1946)

Location: University of Washington - Tacoma, Tacoma

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Donald Fels tells the stories of “black gold” through a series of eight artworks at the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus. Black pepper from India was so important to the late medieval European lifestyle of the 1400s that it often had a one-to-one exchange rate with gold. Pepper was often called “black gold.”

These 'Black Gold' market bags connect the Indian black pepper trade that funded the European Renaissance (1400-1700) to the modern-day global oil trade. Although the two eras have little direct connection, the bags ask us to think about the positive and negative effects of global trade.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Visual artist and writer Donald Fels is active in the United States, Europe, and Asia. “His work explores the routes that connect people with commodities, institutions with their environments, places with the ideas that have defined them.”
Fels received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art, History and Literature from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He received a Master of Arts in Education degree from City University, Seattle.

ARTWORK DETAILS
Material CategoryTextile / fiber / organic materials
MediumSilkscreen print on burlap fabric
Dimensions24 in x 14 in (overall)
ID NumberWSAC2004.028.003A-B
Acquisition MethodDirect purchase
Artist LocationWashington, United States
Location Information
AgencyUniversity of Washington
Artwork LocationUniversity of Washington - Tacoma
Cherry Parkes building, 1st floor lobby
WA CountyPierce
PlacementInterior
Site TypeUniversity
Address1900 Commerce St.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Geo. Coordinates47.244363, -122.436835
Before VisitingSome artworks may be located in areas not accessible to the general public (especially in K-12 public schools). Consider contacting the site prior to a visit to ensure access.
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