Malcolm Bailey
1947–2011
Audio
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Malcolm Bailey, Untitled 1969, 1969
Stop 628 from America Is Hard to See (Kids)
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Malcolm Bailey, Untitled 1969, 1969
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Narrator: This painting has three parts. In the middle, there’s a plant. The artist, Malcom Bailey, has painted it very straightforwardly—like a scientific diagram. It seems kind of humble, and ordinary.
Now look at the other two shapes. They’re made to represent old-fashioned sailing ships. Look closely. What do you see? There are many, many human forms—almost like paper dolls. These images were based on diagrams of ships used to transport human cargo from Africa to the United States during the 1800s—showing the way people were packed in like sardines, hardly able to move or breathe. The original diagrams were made by abolitionist activists who wanted to end slavery, and thought everyone should know the horrible conditions slaves suffered.
Now look again at the plant: it’s cotton, the main crop that slaves were brought to the United States to harvest. What do you think of it now that you know the whole picture?
Exhibitions
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The Whitney’s Collection: Selections from 1900 to 1965
On view
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America Is Hard to See
May 1–Sept 27, 2015
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Whitney Biennial 1973: Contemporary American Art
Jan 10–Mar 18, 1973
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1972 Annual Exhibition: Contemporary American Painting
Jan 25–Mar 19, 1972
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1969 Annual Exhibition: Contemporary American Painting
Dec 16, 1969–Feb 1, 1970