Not currently on display at the V&A

Mao collection

T-Shirt
1995-1998 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This t-shirt, one of many in the V&A’s collection, was designed by Chinese-born Vivienne Tam. It shows an image of Chairman Mao, leader of the People's Republic of China from 1949 until his death in 1976. After his death, Mao became a pop icon and his face was used by artists and designers, both in China and elsewhere.

This garment depicts Mao in pigtails and sporting a red AIDS awareness ribbon. The T-shirts, together with suits, dresses and coats also with Mao designs, were part of the designer’s 1998 collection.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMao collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Transfer-printed cotton
Brief description
Printed knit cotton T-shirt, designed by Vivienne Tam, 1995-1998
Physical description
White knit cotton T-shirt printed with a re-worked portrait of Chairman Mao. Mao is shown in pigtails and wearing a red AIDS ribbon. The shirt has a round neck and short sleeves.
Dimensions
  • Length: 67cm
Production typeReady to wear
Credit line
Given by the designer
Object history
See FE.43-1998
Subject depicted
Summary
This t-shirt, one of many in the V&A’s collection, was designed by Chinese-born Vivienne Tam. It shows an image of Chairman Mao, leader of the People's Republic of China from 1949 until his death in 1976. After his death, Mao became a pop icon and his face was used by artists and designers, both in China and elsewhere.

This garment depicts Mao in pigtails and sporting a red AIDS awareness ribbon. The T-shirts, together with suits, dresses and coats also with Mao designs, were part of the designer’s 1998 collection.
Collection
Accession number
FE.46-1998

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Record createdNovember 18, 2003
Record URL
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