Object Details
Maker
Mary Sibande, born 1982, South Africa
Label Text
Sophie is a recurring character in the sculptures and photographs of Mary Sibande. Consisting of a mannequin cast from the artist’s body, Sophie wears blue, the color of the fabric typically used for domestics’ uniforms and laborers’ overalls throughout South Africa.
Here, Sophie is not constrained by her uniform. Beneath her skirts bursts a Cinderella-like gown to reveal the indomitable imagination of a woman otherwise defined by domestic toil and political and economic oppression. Part of a series of sculptures Sibande created to pay tribute to her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sophie—Merica represents Sibande’s grandmother, a woman whose work helped make the artist’s international success possible.
Description
Life size mannequin fiberglass body cast portrayal of the artist’s grandmother, Merica. Monochromatic black mannequin of standing figure with arms outstretched, wearing a white kerchief on her head and dressed in the blue uniform and white apron of a domestic house worker with the exception that a blue chiffon gown appears to burst from beneath.
Provenance
Mary Sibande (born 1982), Johannesburg, South Africa; sold through Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg, South Africa, to the National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., 2015.
Exhibition History
Mary Sibande: Blue Purple Red, Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN, October 8, 2021–January 2, 2022
African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed August 3, 2017 to November 28, 2018)
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Purchased with funds provided by the Annie Laurie Aitken Endowment
Date
2009
Object number
2015-10-1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 2009 Mary Sibande
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Mixed media installation
Dimensions
H x Dia. (variable): 188 × 304.8 cm (74 × 120 in.)
Geography
South Africa
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
female
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_2015-10-1