Plantlike Evocation

Object Details

Viyé Diba, born 1954, Senegal

Label Text

Diba's work is characterized by a highly sophisticated and restrained use of material and color. He employs only local or recycled materials, paying homage to them as they are transformed in the creative process into a thing of beauty and a work of art. The cloth strips sewn together across the width of the canvas are arranged vertically as a visual acknowledgment of what Diba considers to be a dominant characteristic of African sculpture--verticality.

While Diba's work often appears to be primarily two-dimensional in its conception, he also introduces elements which suggest the third dimension through the addition of wrapped or knotted strips of cloth or the creation of a pocket or enclosure that contains a packet or a bundle of contrasting material. In "Plantlike Evocations," a pocket is created to the right of center and contains a packet painted in a contrasting vibrant red color. In addition, the far right edge of "Plant Evocations" consists of a number of wrapped and knotted sections of cloth.

Description

Painting on an almost square canvas composed of vertical strips of cloth painted a modulated light green color. A pocket is sewn onto a vertical strip to the right of the center. Inserted into this pocket is a red packet which is attached to a red cord whose other end is affixed to the top center edge of the canvas. An unpainted wooden board is attached vertically to the right edge of the canvas. Knotted strips of cloth are individually wrapped around this board down most of its length except for its lower edge which is covered with red cloth.

Provenance

Contemporary African Art, 1999

Exhibition History

Healing Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., September 2016 - June 26, 2019

Encounters with the Contemporary, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 7, 2001-January 6, 2002

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Museum purchase and gift of the Noah-Sadie K. Wachtel Foundation on behalf of Dr. and Mrs. Sidney G. Clyman

1996

Object number

99-11-1

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Painting

Medium

Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

Dimensions

H x W x D: 140.7 x 133.5 x 7.8 cm (55 3/8 x 52 9/16 x 3 1/16 in.)

Geography

Senegal

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National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Record ID

nmafa_99-11-1

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys73ae4ad91-34a9-4762-a441-5426cf1d15b4