Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence
On view February 1 – April 25, 2020
The viewer moves closer and each tiny individual bead catches the light, the meticulous skill and labor that went into each work—the sheer scale of ambition—becomes stunningly apparent. A single panel can take more than 10 months to complete.
Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence was developed by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, DC, in cooperation with Curators Bev Gibson, Ubuhle Beads, and James Green, and is organized for tour by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. The local presentation of this exhibition is sponsored, in part, by Elizabeth “Becky” Price. Select educational programs generously supported by the Bob and Jan Case Endowment for Student Enrichment.
Images: Zanele Muhloli, Portrait of Ntombephi Ntobela, April 2013. © Zanele Muhloli/Ubuhle Artists; Ntombephi “Induna” Ntobela, anele Muhloli/Ubuhle Artists.