Figure Studded with Nails, called "Konde". Cabinda region thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 202, Box VIII
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Figure Studded with Nails, called "Konde". Cabinda region

Photograph
1935 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Walker Evans (photographer)
Place of origin
New York (photographed)

Photograph of a wooden figure studded with nails across the chest, torso and arms


Object details

Categories
Africa
Photographs
Object type
Photograph
TitleFigure Studded with Nails, called "Konde". Cabinda region (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Photograph
Photography
Brief description
Photograph by Walker Evans depicting a carved wooden figure stuck with nails, called 'Konde', from the Cabinda region of the former Portuguese Congo (an exclave of modern day Angola), in an exhibition entitled 'African Negro Art' at the Museum of Modern Art. New York, 1935
Physical description
Photograph of a wooden figure studded with nails across the chest, torso and arms
Dimensions
  • Height of figure height: 42in
Dimensions taken from the catalogue accompanying the exhibition of 1935
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
  • X.202 / NEW YORK: Museum of Modern Art. / Exhibition of African Negro Art, 1935. / [Photo. No. 376] (Label on mount)
  • 376 Figure stuck with nails (Catalog no. 436) / Belgian Congo, religion of Cabinda / Wood, 42 inches high / Collection of the University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (Label on mount)
Object history
NB: The term "negro" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context.

The Museum of Modern Art, New York, commissioned Walker Evans to photograph its African Negro Art exhibition of 1935. He produced 477 images and 17 sets of these images were printed, one of which the V&A bought for $50.
Displayed in "V and A Africa: Exploring Hidden Histories"
15th November 2012- 3rd February 2013
Subjects depicted
Sculpture
Figures
Nails
Punishment
Torture
Pain
Bibliographic references
  • African Negro Art New York: Museum of Modern Art, c. 1935. 58p., [82]p of plates.
  • AFRICAN NEGRO ART Photographs by Walker Evans List of Photographs The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1935
  • African Negro Art Edited by James Johnson Sweeney, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1935
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
2369-1936

About this object record

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1099935/figure-studded-with-nails-called-photograph-walker-evans/
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