Object Details
Created by
Lorna Simpson, American, born 1960
Caption
A pioneer in conceptual photography and film, Lorna Simpson is best known for her large-scale photographic images of women, accompanied by enigmatic words and phrases. The subjects of her works often reference societal issues such as identity, gender, discrimination, and race. In the case of Untitled (a lie is not a shelter), Simpson engages all of the above.
Created for the Art Against AIDS project in 1989, Untitled speaks to the lack of information, prevention, and treatment of HIV and AIDS among Black women and women of color during an era when it was primarily recognized and treated as a disease that afflicted gay white males.
Description
Black-and-white photograph of the torso of an African American woman in a light colored short sleeve shirt standing with her arms crossed and text dispersed across her clothing. The text reads, "a lie is not a shelter / discrimination is not protection / isolation is not a remedy / a promise is not a prophylactic."
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Billy E. Hodges
Date
1989
Object number
2009.2
Restrictions & Rights
© Lorna Simpson. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
gelatin silver prints
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W: 59 x 48 x 1 1/8 in. (149.9 x 121.9 x 2.9 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Visual Arts
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Art
Health
LGBTQ
Photography
Sexuality
U.S. History, 1969-2001
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2009.2