Anything But Simple: Gift Drawings and the Shaker Aesthetic
Anything But Simple: Gift Drawings and the Shaker Aesthetic
Made by women in the mid-19th century and believed to represent divine messages, the “gift” drawings on display represent a departure from the simplicity typically associated with Shaker material culture.
FREE
American Folk Art Museum
September 13, 2024 to January 25, 2025
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Exhibition Details

The Shakers, often celebrated for their minimalist approach to design, will be showcased in a new light. Made by women in the mid-19th century and believed to represent divine messages, the “gift” drawings on display represent a departure from the simplicity typically associated with Shaker material culture.

Additional Details

Divided into several sections, the exhibition will open with an in-depth look at the Shakers themselves, as well as delve into the “Shaker aesthetic,” the Era of Manifestations, and more. The drawings will be accompanied by biographical information on the women who made them, enriching visitors’ experience of these stunning objects with contextual understanding of their historical and spiritual meanings.

Location

American Folk Art Museum
2 Lincoln Square
New York, NY 10023

Image: Detail from Polly Jane Reed (1818–1881), A Type of Mother Hannah’s Pocket Handkerchief, New Lebanon, New York, 1851 / courtesy of American Folk Art Museum