This is stunning in person, and had an entire room devoted only to it. If it’s not obvious from the photo, this is suspended fairly high in the air, maybe 10-15 feet. The beading of the words “We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident” continues around the entirety of the punching bag, but this was the only photo I got that I was satisfied with. This is the accompanying text:
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, 2024
Glass beads, plastic beads, nylon thread, acrylic felt, found punching bag
Gibson’s series of beaded punching bags frequently contain texts that address structures of power. Drawing on Indigenous craft and clothing traditions, he transforms a symbol of physical aggression into a pathway to empowerment. Gibson adorns the bag here with beadwork and fringe evoking powwow regalia, especially in bead-and-jingle-adorned dresses worn by women. The beadwork features the first words of the US Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” Unwritten but implied is the rest of the sentence: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The viewer is left to hold that statement with the often-conflicting actions of the nation in the two centuries since its writing, especially toward Indigenous people, people of color, and other marginalized groups.
If you happen to be in Los Angeles, he has a special exhibit going on at The Broad right now that’s fantastic! And it’s free on Thursdays if you can’t afford the ticket.
Do you remember if any of his other work was with it, or just the one piece? In context with his other work I feel like it’s beautiful. But a lot of the work of his that was on display was huge, so it would be understandable if they only showed one or two pieces.
The other art of his on display at The Broad mostly included found objects from unknown Native bead artists which he had also placed beadwork around, and painted similar boldly designed textual elements. It’s not that none of the art worked without the others, adding them all together just layers on the messaging and style of his in a way that’s pleasing to me.
Almost everything was very boldly colored, though, so if that’s not your jam that’s understandable!
He did the whole pavilion, statues in beads like this and paintings and walls in similar colours.
That sounds rad tbh
Yeah but in context, it’s one pavilion in a big park with loads of those, a lot of other countries just did even better.