Portrait
1926 (designed and made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This batik dyed silk panel shows an unnamed Trinidadian woman in bold profile. The artist, Alice M. Pashley, went on to become a founding member of The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, which was set up in 1943. The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago was inspired by contemporary European art movements and their fascination with art from around the world but felt that art should reflect local subjects and themes. These concerns are demonstrated in this piece.
This portrait is believed to be of a servant working for the artist, and was made at a time of social and racial discord in the West Indies. Pashley's use of batik shows an interest in the wider art world and a knowledge of European trends in art. Originally developed in Indonesia, where she had studied it, the technique of batik became fashionable in Europe, America and West Africa in the early part of the twentieth century when this portrait was made.
This portrait is believed to be of a servant working for the artist, and was made at a time of social and racial discord in the West Indies. Pashley's use of batik shows an interest in the wider art world and a knowledge of European trends in art. Originally developed in Indonesia, where she had studied it, the technique of batik became fashionable in Europe, America and West Africa in the early part of the twentieth century when this portrait was made.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Batik dyed silk |
| Brief description | Silk batik portrait of woman's head (a domestic helper working for the artist), designed and made by Alice Pashley, Trinidad, 1926 |
| Physical description | Portrait of a Trinidadian woman, a domestic helper working for the artist. Silk panel, batik dyed, in pink, red, blue, brown and olive green on cream ground. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Text written about this object for 'Uncomfortable Truths / Traces of the Trade' gallery trails (Trail 2: 'Black servants in British Homes'), 20 February - 31 December 2007. Helen Mears & Janet Browne.
'PORTRAIT OF A TRINIDADIAN WOMAN / Although slavery had long been abolished, the historically embedded divisions between race and class continued to create social unrest in Trinidad right into the 20th century. Between 1845 and 1917 there was an influx of cheap labour from India, China and Madeira. These indentured labourers came on short contracts, after which they were free to return home or buy plots of land in Trinidad. Many of them were wealthy enough to have black African servants. 'Freed' African slaves did not have the same privileges or social position.
By calling her piece The Artist's Servant, the creator of this batik alludes to these deep-rooted power structures. Her nameless subject is shown in bold profile against a 'primitive' patterned backdrop of tropical leaves. the technique, a form of wax resist known as batik, was popular in Europe and the USA for its exotic associations with Indonesia and West Africa.'(20/02/2007) |
| Credit line | Given by the British Institute of Industrial Art |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This batik dyed silk panel shows an unnamed Trinidadian woman in bold profile. The artist, Alice M. Pashley, went on to become a founding member of The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, which was set up in 1943. The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago was inspired by contemporary European art movements and their fascination with art from around the world but felt that art should reflect local subjects and themes. These concerns are demonstrated in this piece. This portrait is believed to be of a servant working for the artist, and was made at a time of social and racial discord in the West Indies. Pashley's use of batik shows an interest in the wider art world and a knowledge of European trends in art. Originally developed in Indonesia, where she had studied it, the technique of batik became fashionable in Europe, America and West Africa in the early part of the twentieth century when this portrait was made. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.513-1934 |
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| Record created | November 27, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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