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Themes of humor and everyday life run through the Seattle-based metalsmith Nancy Worden’s entire oeuvre. Her narrative work draws upon global cultures, design history, and even explores themes from her own life. Worden didn’t shy away from feminist subjects, but embraced them with playfulness. The old adage, “a mother's work is never done,” is evidenced in this brooch which features six silver shoes surrounding a watch face set behind purple tinted plexiglass. The outer ring spins so that the shoes “literally run around the clock.”
Runnin Yo Mama Ragged
Nancy Worden (American, 1954 – 2021)
1992
Object Place: Seattle, Washington, United States
Medium/Technique
Silver, plexiglas, watch face, amethyst, found objects
Dimensions
Overall: 6.7 x 6.7 x 1.6 cm (2 5/8 x 2 5/8 x 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Daphne Farago Collection
Accession Number2006.630
CollectionsJewelry, Contemporary Art, Americas
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Brooches
Themes of humor and everyday life run through the Seattle-based metalsmith Nancy Worden’s entire oeuvre. Her narrative work draws upon global cultures, design history, and even explores themes from her own life. Worden didn’t shy away from feminist subjects, but embraced them with playfulness. The old adage, “a mother's work is never done,” is evidenced in this brooch which features six silver shoes surrounding a watch face set behind purple tinted plexiglass. The outer ring spins so that the shoes “literally run around the clock.”
DescriptionWatch face set behind purple tinted plexiglas with metal surround with cast silver shoes, a metal shoe from a Monopoly game set, and purple stones. The outer ring spins so that the shoes "run" around the clock.
ProvenanceMobilia Gallery; Daphne Farago, October 1994 Daphne Farago; to MFA, 2006, gift of Daphne Farago.
Copyright© Nancy Worden