Mid-Century African Textile Collage Portraits of Women in Traditional Dress, 1970s

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Stylised silhouettes cut from rich brown cloth form the foundation of these two full-length portrait studies, each depicting an African … Read more Stylised silhouettes cut from rich brown cloth form the foundation of these two full-length portrait studies, each depicting an African woman in traditional dress standing in profile. The figures face towards one another in complementary poses, their hands resting on their hips. Both are dressed in tailored two-piece ensembles cut from printed fabrics reminiscent of West African kente patterns, displaying striking geometric blocks, chevrons, and stripes in vibrant saffron yellow, deep indigo, forest green, and rust. Each study combines flat appliqué with tactile, three-dimensional detailing. Fine black-and-white twisted piping outlines the broad wing-like collars, peplum waist flounces, and long, straight skirts. The elaborate headwraps are folded from matching textiles, while thick black twisted yarn provides raised, tactile braids falling over the shoulders. Delicate metallic cord and applied trinkets represent necklaces, drop earrings, and bracelets. Dating probably from the 1970s, the pictures are mounted onto a woven cream textile backing and housed in their original slim wooden frames. The frames feature a deep bottle-green outer edge paired with a natural light wood inner moulding. In the upper corner of one study, a small cut-out textile motif provides an extra decorative flourish. The textile panels are in sound vintage condition, retaining strong colours throughout the fabrics, with only a few minor, faint marks to the cream fabric ground. While specific measurements are unrecorded, they form a tall, slender pair conceived to hang together. See less