Hammonds House Museum launches the 2024 exhibition season with renowned artist Precious Lovell’s compelling exploration of the experiences of Black American women and their interconnected relationships in her two new thematic collections, The Fabric Of Our Lives: The Ties That Bind and Ex-Domestication. Curated by the new Hammonds House Museum Artistic Chair Halima Taha, the exhibition will open on January 26 and be on view through April 15, 2024. 

In The Ties That Bind, Lovell presents a collection of 15 aprons, exploring the storytelling potential of fabric and attire, which have both deeply personal and universally resonant themes. The African modesty apron serves as the clothing artifact for this collection. Its function is to maintain the dignity of its wearer. Modesty aprons take many shapes and forms and are made from a variety of materials, including fabric, metal, animal skins, plant fiber or leaves. 

Ex-Domestication delves into the present through a historical perspective, shedding light on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the enduring impact it has had on societal behaviors. Through this series, Lovell challenges traditional notions of "domestication" associated with servitude and control, using craft traditions typically labeled as "women's work" such as weaving, needlepoint, quilting, and sewing to create thought-provoking pieces. These works captivate the viewer while prompting profound reflections on labor, capitalism, and power. 

Through these two bodies of work, Precious Lovell offers a poignant and evocative portrayal of the dignity and experiences of Black American women and their interconnected relationships, inviting audiences to contemplate the complexities of history, identity, and human connection.

To RSVP for the opening night and artist talk with Precious Lovell and Halima Taha click HERE. Visit the museum website to join the mailing list to receive information on other related public programs and events: hammondshouse.org.