Joyce Scott Retrospective and Athenian Lunch

 

10/25/24 Joyce J. Scott's exhibit at SAM, "Walk a Mile in My Dreams"

A couple of decades ago when beadwork was my primary art medium, one of my artist idols was Joyce Scott. At the time, most artists using beads were either making jewelry or following traditional cultural practices. Scott was one of few artists who revolutionized beadwork by using it as a sculptural and installation medium with political and socio-cultural content. Although my work was abstract rather than figurative, I often used the same sculptural techniques as she did, and I always looked at her work with awe.

Exhibit visitors were invited to take part in
a large weaving that would eventually be displayed.

I still do, and Scott’s retrospective exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, Walk a Mile in My Dreams, is utterly awe-inspiring. It’s not, however, easy to view: She not only doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like rape, lynching or other forms of sexual and racial violence, she puts them in your face. The visual imagery might make you flinch – as it should. Some of it is breathtaking – whether for its stunning beauty or gut-wrenching subject matter or both simultaneously.

Although I sketched a bit in the exhibit, my mind was so full of her imagery and ideas that I had difficulty focusing. It was easier in a room where a huge loom was set up for visitors to try their hand at weaving according to a short video clip of Scott’s instructions. I thought about trying it myself, but I was more interested in capturing another visitor giving it a shot.

I asked Mary Jean to stand by this piece for scale. It's entirely made of tiny beads and fiber elements. Close-up, tiny imagery could be spotted.

After experiencing the exhibit together, Roy, Mary Jean and I enjoyed lunch at the Athenian, an historic restaurant inside the Pike Place Market made famous by a scene in the 1993 film, Sleepless in Seattle (Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner are seen eating there). Apparently some visitors still want to dine there just because of that film. I had forgotten all about that scene being filmed there until I was reminded by the photos on the wall. Service was slow during that busy Friday lunch hour, so we all had plenty of time to sketch through our fantastic window view of Elliott Bay and the Olympics.

10/25/24 Views from the Athenian, Pike Place Market