Artwork copyright Janet Taylor Pickett. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Janet Taylor Pickett. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission (detail).

Artwork copyright Janet Taylor Pickett. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission (detail).

Crazy Quilt of Memories, 1991

Janet Taylor Pickett
(American, born 1948)

Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Janet Taylor Pickett explores her personal history and ancestry in Crazy Quilt of Memories . The artwork is composed of vivid images, as well as mythical symbols and art historical references. Painting, drawing, collaged elements, and found objects such as upholstery tacks and tin can tops are all used.

This artwork is part of a series of ten mixed-media artworks created by Janet Taylor Pickett for the collection "Who We Are: Autobiographies in Art." The series was commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission in partnership with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1990.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Who We Are: Autobiographies in Art Collection.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Janet Taylor Pickett's expressive artworks explore identity and narrative in a variety of media, especially using collage. In her own words: “I’ve always been a narrative artist and my work is about my experience as an African American female artist.”

Janet Taylor Pickett was born in Michigan and received Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Michigan. She taught art and art history at Essex County College in New Jersey for over 30 years.