Elizabeth Jameson: Splendorform
North Galleries
July 13, 2002 – November 10, 2002
The anonymous figures that populate Seattle artist Elizabeth Jameson’s work are cloaked, hooded, padded, insulated, and tightly bound. These works, which draw on the history of fashion, ideals of beauty, and occupational safety uniforms, are juxtaposed with undergarments selected by Jameson from the costume collections of the Henry Art Gallery and the Museum of History and Industry. Bustle cages and corsets from the 1800s and rocket bras and merry widows from the 1950s evidence distinct ideals of female body shape.
Drawing inspiration from these historical objects, “Elizabeth Jameson: Splendorform” featured a selection of spare drawings, performance artifacts, and a new sculptural installation commissioned by the Henry especially for this exhibition.