Carrie Mae Weems
American , 1953-

The Jefferson Suite, 1999
17 panel installation with digitally printed muslin pieces, original score

SBMA, Museum purchase with funds provided in honor of Gail Berkus

SBMA CURATORIAL LABELS

In December 1999, the Museum inaugurated the Carrie Mae Weems installation The Jefferson Suites, once again taking the lead in presenting challenging art that addresses issues raised by science. This installation of digitally produced photographs by the highly acclaimed artist explores some of the profound dilemmas and possibilites resulting from DNA information that scientists are unraveling in the Human Genome Project. Interested from the outset of her career in gender and race issues, Weems involves the viewer both literally and metaphorically in the moral, social and political issues raised by such knowledge of ourselves.

- View, January 2000