“I made this…”: The Work of Black American Artists and Artisans
On view in the Miodrag and Elizabeth Ridgely Blagojevich Gallery
This exhibition is made possible through a generous grant from The Americana Foundation
“I made this…” celebrates the lives of 18th- through 20th-century Black American artisans and artists through the material culture they created. The title comes from a quote by 19th-century enslaved potter David Drake who inscribed these words on one of his pots despite laws prohibiting literacy for enslaved people. Drake is just one of the many artists represented in this exhibition. Objects from both Decorative Arts and Folk Art collections will be displayed in the same gallery contrasting the aesthetics and designs of men and women from different times, places, and backgrounds. These pieces represent the inspirations, resilience, and legacies of these talented makers.
Jug by David Drake, Edgefield, South Carolina, 1842. Alkaline-glazed stoneware. Museum Purchase. 2021.900.24.
Quilt by Rita Mae Pettway, Gee’s Bend, Alabama, ca. 1990. Cotton and polyester. Museum Purchase, Dr. and Mrs. T. Marshall Hahn Fund, 2008.609.10
Baptism by Clementine Hunter, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1950-1956. Oil on cardboard. Museum Purchase, 1992.101.2.
Delve into our Exhibitions Online
Explore our Online Collections to learn more about The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's vast collections of fine, decorative, mechanical, and folk art.
