Maasai Africa
(1982-1988)
- Medium
- cotton, lycra, plastic, metal, glass
- Measurements
- (a) 70.0 cm (centre back) 91.5 cm (width across shoulders) (zebra print top)
(b) 58.0 cm (centre back) 80.5 cm (width across shoulders) (Ndebele print pleat top)
(c) 88.5 cm (centre back) 27.5 cm (waist flat) (skirt)
(d) 18.0 × 186.0 cm (sash)
(e) 34.5 × 194.0 cm (turban)
(f) 52.0 × 34.3 × 0.7 cm (Massai necklace)
(g) 28.5 × 29.0 × 0.5 cm (Massai necklace)
(h) 24.7 × 23.5 × 0.5 cm (Massai necklace)
(i) 61.0 × 24.0 × 0.5 cm (Massai necklace)
(j) 17.0 × 18.0 × 25.0 cm (Massai necklace)
(k) 21.7 × 13.5 × 0.5 cm (Massai necklace)
(l) 16.0 × 12.0 × 0.1 cm (Zulu necklace)
(m) 10.0 × 10.0 × 2.8 cm (Ndebele bracelet)
(n) 10.0 × 11.5 × 3.5 cm (Ndebele bracelet)
(o) 8.3 × 7.6 × 1.0 cm (Zulu bracelet)
(p) 7.5 × 7.5 × 1.0 cm (bangle)
(q) 7.5 × 8.0 × 1.0 cm (bangle)
(r) 7.5 × 7.0 × 1.0 cm (bangle)
(s) 7.8 × 8.0 × 1.0 cm (bangle)
(t) 8.1 × 7.5 × 1.0 cm (bangle)
(u) 9.5 × 9.5 × 3.0 cm (Ndebele bracelet)
(v) 7.5 × 7.0 × 0.5 cm (bangle)
(w) 7.5 × 7.5 × 0.5 cm (bangle)
(x) 8.0 × 8.0 × 0.5 cm (bangle)
(y) 7.7 × 8.2 × 0.5 cm (bangle)
(z) 7.5 × 7.1 × 0.5 cm (bangle)
(aa) 27.0 × 36.8 × 0.8 cm (bag)
(bb) 6.7 × 5.7 × 0.7 cm (pin) - Place/s of Execution
- Sydney, New South Wales
- Inscription
- (b) label, centre back neckline, woven orange on black acetate: (heart) Linda Jackson
(c) label, centre back waistline, woven black and multi-colour on white acetate: Linda Jackson / BUSH COUTURE / AUSTRALIA - Accession Number
- 2010.309.a-bb
- Department
- Australian Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2010
© Linda Jackson/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
In 1988, Jackson travelled to Kenya and East Africa where she spent time in Maasai villages and observed traditional beading techniques. For many years, Jackson had been interested in African dress and had incorporated elements in her work. Maasai Africa is a bold synthesis of these ideas. The fabric is printed with brightly coloured checks and animal print designs. The loosely structured and layered components coupled with a turban reference the vibrant styles of African women’s dress, and are indicative of Jackson’s distinctive design language and engagement with other cultures.
- Physical description
- Outfit comprising two screenprinted tops, skirt, sash, turban and hand-beaded bracelets and necklace. (a) Tunic-style cotton top with multi coloured ‘rainbow’ screenprinted panel and ‘zebra’ print border. Lined in black and white gingham print cotton. (b) Ndebele ‘rainbow’ print pleat top. (c) Ankle-length ‘rainbow gingham’ screenprinted cotton skirt with ribbon applique. Single vent at centre back. Drawstring waist. (d) ‘Rainbow gingham’ printed sash with ribbon applique. (e) Ndebele ‘rainbow’ print length of fabric which forms a turban. (f) to k) (Largest to smallest) Maasai hand beaded circular necklace. (l) Zulu hand beaded necklace. (m-n) two Ndebele hand beaded bracelets (left arm) (o) Ndebele hand beaded bracelet (left arm) (p-t) Hand beaded bracelets by Linda Jackson (left arm) (u) Hand beaded Ndebele bracelet (right arm) (v-z) Hand beaded bracelets by Linda Jackson (right arm) (aa) Screenprinted cotton bag (bb) Hand beaded safety pin ornament attached to bag.