Lecture: Beads That Speak—Unraveling Stories of East African Artistry
@ The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Opening Saturday, January 18th, from 2PM - 3PM
Discover the rich cultural traditions of eastern Africa through 20th-century beadwork, focusing on vibrant artistry from Kenya and Tanzania. One highlight is a rare marriage skirt from the Iraqw people of northern Tanzania. A close examination of the piece reveals intricate beadwork and leather designs that are not only visually striking but also rich in symbolism, conveying messages about age, status, family position, and identity within the community.
Join Janet Purdy, associate curator, Textiles, as she explores motif, material, and symbolism in Iraqw beaded skirts like this one as well as other insights from her fieldwork and interviews with East African artists, especially the women and girls who create and wear these pieces.
About the Speaker
Janet Marion Purdy is associate curator of textiles at the Art Institute of Chicago and visiting lecturer in African art history at the University of Chicago. She completed her Ph.D at Pennsylvania State University in 2020, with a focus on the historical arts and architecture of Africa and the Islamic world.
Image info: Woman’s Skirt (detail), Early 20th century, Iraqw
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