Artwork copyright Carrie Mae Weems. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Carrie Mae Weems. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Jessica (from the series Mayflowers Long Forgotten), 2003

Carrie Mae Weems
(American, born 1953)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

In her portrait 'Jessica'—part of the 'Mayflowers Long Forgotten' series—artist Carrie Mae Weems re-imagines formal, 19th century portrait photography to honor a young African American girl. The artist is known for work that draws attention to and re-orders ideas of race, class, and gender.

This artwork is part of a collection of artworks located in the University of Washington's Kane Hall. The collection pays tribute to the diversity of UW's campus community and features nine artists whose art explores identity. Student leaders from the UW Minority Think Tank were involved in the selection of the artworks in 2005.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

New York City-based artist Carrie Mae Weems works in a variety of media. She is best known for her photography, but also produces artworks with text, fabric, audio, and installations. Weems investigates “family relationships, cultural identity, sexism, class, political systems, and the consequences of power.”

Carrie Mae Weems earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts, Valencia. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego.