Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo

1 of 3

Object Label

Dame Magdalene Odundo’s vessels represent the height of technical skill and visual inventiveness. Trained in Kenya, India, and England—where she first began working in clay—her influences span millennia and continents. These sources include Cycladic art; San Ildefonso Pueblo artists like Maria Martínez; European modernists like Hans Jean Arp; and Gwari potters like Ladi Kwali OON, MBE. This vessel’s long, flared neck evokes Nigerian Nupe pottery, another of her inspirations. While Kang Suk Young carefully manipulates his work during the construction process, a multistep firing process determines the final appearance of Odundo’s works. Organic materials carbonize during firing, reducing oxygen to transform the reddish-orange terracotta to a shimmering black. The rainbow sheen on this object accentuates its voluptuous lower half.

Caption

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo British, born Kenya 1950. Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece, 1990. Terracotta, 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund, 1991.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.26_SL1_edited.jpg)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Arts of Africa

Title

Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece

Date

1990

Geography

Place made: Farnham, Surrey, England

Medium

Terracotta

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm)

Signatures

Signed and dated on base

Credit Line

Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund

Accession Number

1991.26

Rights

© artist or artist's estate

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