Lorraine O'Grady (American, born 1934). <em>Miscegenated Family Album</em>, 1994. Silver dye bleach print (Cibachrome), 32 prints each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by John and Barbara Vogelstein and Shelley Fox Aarons and Philip E. Aarons and bequest of Richard J. Kempe, by exchange, 2008.80. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of Gracie Mansion Gallery, CUR.2008.80.jpg)

Lorraine O'Grady (American, born 1934). Miscegenated Family Album, 1994. Silver dye bleach print (Cibachrome), 32 prints each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by John and Barbara Vogelstein and Shelley Fox Aarons and Philip E. Aarons and bequest of Richard J. Kempe, by exchange, 2008.80. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of Gracie Mansion Gallery, CUR.2008.80.jpg)

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How does this relate to the Egyptian galleries?

This is an interesting project by the artist Lorraine O'Grady, who saw a resemblance between her sister, Devonia, and the imagery of the Egyptian family she chose. Nefertiti’s sister, Mutnedjmet, plays an important role in many of the pictures, and the Egyptian queen disappeared from public life at an age close to Devonia’s at the time of her death.

Who is this?

That is Queen Nefertiti, the wife of King Akhenaten. Here, Lorraine O'Grady pairs a sculpture of Nefertiti with a sculpture of Mutnedjmet, Nefertiti's sister. In this series, O'Grady likens herself to Mutnedjmet and her own sister to Nefertiti.

Tell me more about Lorraine O'Grady.

O'Grady was born in Boston in 1934 and came to art later in life than many artists, at the age of 46. Beforehand, she studied economics, literature, music, and even worked for the government. Her art practice is multidisciplinary and spans various media. Her best known works are in the realm of performance and the documentation of that performance. Miscegenated Family Album is actually related to a performance from 1980. O'Grady's work frequently addresses race and her personal experiences. This work is built on a comparison of her sister to the famous queen, Nefertiti.

Thank you

Who is Lorraine O’Grady?

Lorraine O'Grady is a contemporary artist who works mostly in the media of performance and photography. In fact, Miscegenated Family Album was born out of a performance in 1980. She was born in Boston in 1934 to West Indian parents and worked for the US Government before becoming an artist at the age of 46.

What is the connection between these two people? (Ceremonial Occasions, 1994)

This pairing and the rest of the photographs on this wall come out of a series by artist Lorraine O'Grady called Miscegenated Family Album. She pairs members of her family with historical figures from ancient Egypt, primarily her sister Devonia with Queen Nefertiti as seen here. O'Grady saw a similarity between her sister and Nefertiti and also made the connection that both died or disappeared in their 30s. In this particular pairing, Devonia and Nefertiti are both wearing, as the title suggests, ceremonial dress. It is also worth noting that the garment Nefertiti is shown wearing would have been white like Devonia's wedding gown.

Miscegenated Family Album

Lorraine O'Grady

Photography

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Counterparts

ARTIST Lorraine O'Grady, American, born 1934

MEDIUM Silver dye bleach print (Cibachrome)

DATES 1994

DIMENSIONS 32 prints each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm) frame (16 frames each): 38 1/8 × 27 1/2 in. (96.8 × 69.9 cm) frame (a's, b's, c's, d's, e's, g's, i's, k's, l's, m's, n's, o's, p's): 27 1/4 × 38 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (69.2 × 97.2 × 3.8 cm) frame (h1-h2): 38 1/4 × 27 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (97.2 × 69.2 × 3.8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Photography

ACCESSION NUMBER 2008.80

CREDIT LINE Purchased with funds given by John and Barbara Vogelstein and Shelley Fox Aarons and Philip E. Aarons and bequest of Richard J. Kempe, by exchange

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION 32 photographs in pairs - 16 frame units

EXHIBITIONS

Ancient Egyptian Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Counterparts

CAPTION Lorraine O'Grady (American, born 1934). Miscegenated Family Album, 1994. Silver dye bleach print (Cibachrome), 32 prints each: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by John and Barbara Vogelstein and Shelley Fox Aarons and Philip E. Aarons and bequest of Richard J. Kempe, by exchange, 2008.80. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of Gracie Mansion Gallery, CUR.2008.80.jpg)

EDITION Edition: 6/8

IMAGE installation, CUR.2008.80.jpg. Image courtesy of Gracie Mansion Gallery

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