Black Sheep/Dead MeatSculptu thumbnail 1
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images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 141, The McAulay Gallery

Black Sheep/Dead MeatSculptu

Sculpture

Moulded and hand-modelled sheep’s carcase, by Tunisian artist Malek Gnaoui. Made in white clay, Tunis, 2015.


Object details

Object type
TitleBlack Sheep/Dead MeatSculptu
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Moulded and hand-modelled sheep’s carcase, by Tunisian artist Malek Gnaoui. Made in white clay, Tunis, 2015.
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund
Object history
Malek Gnaoui references Tunisian popular beliefs and cultural traditions. The installation here includes work from his Black Sheep series, which references the ritual sacrifice of sheep during the 'id al-adha festival, celebrated by Muslims throughout the world following the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The works are made from delicate bisque-fired clay whose whiteness belies the bloodiness of the slaughter. The carcase in Black Sheep/Dead Meat was made using a combination of moulding and modelling, while the knives in Black Sheep/Toolbox are moulded from actual knives that have been used in sacrifices. They bear the star and crescent moon of the Tunisian national flag.
(See references).
Bibliographic reference
Collection
Accession number
ME.1-2020

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Record createdJanuary 24, 2019
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