Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo (British, born Kenya 1950). <em>Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece</em>, 1990. Terracotta, 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund, 1991.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.26_SL1_edited.jpg)

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo (British, born Kenya 1950). Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece, 1990. Terracotta, 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund, 1991.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.26_SL1_edited.jpg)

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Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo

Arts of Africa

Dame Magdalene Odundo’s vessels represent the height of technical skill and visual inventiveness. Trained in Kenya, India, and England—where she first began working in clay—her influences span millennia and continents. These sources include Cycladic art; San Ildefonso Pueblo artists like Maria Martínez; European modernists like Hans Jean Arp; and Gwari potters like Ladi Kwali OON, MBE. This vessel’s long, flared neck evokes Nigerian Nupe pottery, another of her inspirations. While Kang Suk Young carefully manipulates his work during the construction process, a multistep firing process determines the final appearance of Odundo’s works. Organic materials carbonize during firing, reducing oxygen to transform the reddish-orange terracotta to a shimmering black. The rainbow sheen on this object accentuates its voluptuous lower half.

ARTIST Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, British, born Kenya 1950

MEDIUM Terracotta

Place Made: Farnham, Surrey, England

DATES 1990

DIMENSIONS 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed and dated on base

COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa

ACCESSION NUMBER 1991.26

CREDIT LINE Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Black narrow-necked, symmentrical vessel made in 1990 by Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo who was born in Nairobi, Kenya (Luo, b.1950). Hand built vessel finished with a burnished slip and reduction-fired in a saggar to give a variegated black and orange-red surface. Condition: Excellent.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo (British, born Kenya 1950). Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece, 1990. Terracotta, 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and Frank L. Babbott Fund, 1991.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.26_SL1_edited.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1991.26_SL1_edited.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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