60 Breathtaking carrie mae weems kitchen table national gallery Voted By The Construction Association

This article will take you on a journey through the National Gallery to explore the thought-provoking installation by renowned photographer and visual artist, Carrie Mae Weems. Titled "Kitchen Table Series," the exhibit delves into themes of race, gender, and identity through a series of captivating photographs that capture intimate moments around a kitchen table. We’ll delve into the significance of this installation, its impact on contemporary art and society, and what makes it a must-see for art enthusiasts. Get ready to experience the power and beauty of Weems' work in this guide to the "Kitchen Table Series" at the National Gallery.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. is home to one of the most iconic and influential works of contemporary art: Kitchen Table Series by Carrie Mae Weems. This series of photographs, created between 1990 and 1992, has become a cornerstone of Weems' career and has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums around the world.

Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a collection of 20 photographs that explore the complexities of relationships, family dynamics, and gender roles through the lens of a kitchen table. The series features Weems herself as the central figure, surrounded by various characters that represent different aspects of her life and identity.

Each photograph in the series is accompanied by a short text, written by Weems, that adds depth and context to the images. The combination of image and text creates a powerful narrative that is both personal and universal, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships.

The National Gallery of Art's permanent collection includes several works from the Kitchen Table Series, including the iconic photograph "Untitled (Woman and daughter with makeup)" and "Untitled (Woman standing alone)." These works are a testament to Weems' mastery of storytelling through photography and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series - tall 1

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is another institution that has showcased Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series in its galleries. The series was first exhibited at MoMA in 1991, solidifying Weems' place in the art world as a prominent and influential contemporary artist.

Weems' work is known for its powerful and thought-provoking commentary on race, gender, and identity. The Kitchen Table Series, in particular, challenges traditional notions of femininity and exposes the complexities of Black womanhood. Weems' use of herself as the central figure in the series adds a personal and intimate touch to the images, making them even more impactful.

The MoMA's collection includes some of the most significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Man reading newspaper)" and "Untitled (Woman and daughter with makeup)." These photographs, along with others from the series, have become iconic representations of Weems' unique and powerful voice in contemporary art.

National Gallery of Art

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City is dedicated to showcasing the work of American artists, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a prominent part of its collection. The series has been featured in several exhibitions at the Whitney, including the 2014 retrospective "Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video."

Weems' photographs have a timeless quality to them, despite being created over 25 years ago. The themes and issues she addresses in the Kitchen Table Series are still relevant and resonant today, making her work a vital contribution to the Whitney's collection of American art.

Some of the most striking photographs from the Kitchen Table Series in the Whitney's collection include "Untitled (Man and mirror)" and "Untitled (Woman and phone)." These images capture intimate and relatable moments that reflect the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of everyday life.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, also known as the Met, is home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of art in the world. Among its vast collection is Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series, which has been exhibited at the Met numerous times over the years.

Weems' work has a powerful and emotional impact on viewers, and her Kitchen Table Series is no exception. The series explores themes of love, loss, and identity, and each photograph offers a unique and layered perspective on these universal experiences.

The Met's collection includes some of the most significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, including "Untitled (Woman with daughter)." This photograph, like others in the series, captures a moment of tenderness and vulnerability, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships and emotions.

MoMA

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to one of the most extensive collections of art in the United States, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a celebrated part of its contemporary collection. The series has been exhibited at the Art Institute several times, including a solo show in 2014.

The Art Institute's collection includes several significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Woman and daughter with makeup)" and "Untitled (Woman standing alone)." These photographs, along with others from the series, have become iconic representations of Weems' unique and powerful voice in contemporary art.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is dedicated to showcasing the most innovative and influential works of contemporary art, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a prominent part of its collection. The series has been exhibited at SFMOMA several times, including a solo show in 2016.

Weems' photographs are known for their powerful and emotional impact, and her Kitchen Table Series is no exception. The series invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships, while also challenging traditional notions of femininity and identity.

SFMOMA's collection includes some of the most significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Woman reading newspaper)" and "Untitled (Man and mirror)." These images capture intimate and relatable moments that reflect the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of everyday life.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is home to one of the most extensive collections of art on the West Coast, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a celebrated part of its contemporary collection. The series has been exhibited at LACMA several times, including a solo show in 2015.

LACMA's collection includes several significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Woman and daughter with makeup)" and "Untitled (Woman standing alone)." These photographs, along with others from the series, have become iconic representations of Weems' unique and powerful voice in contemporary art.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | Tate Modern

The Tate Modern in London is dedicated to showcasing the most significant and influential works of modern and contemporary art, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a prominent part of its collection. The series has been exhibited at the Tate several times, including a solo show in 2019.

Some of the most striking photographs from the Kitchen Table Series in the Tate's collection include "Untitled (Man and mirror)" and "Untitled (Woman and phone)." These images capture intimate and relatable moments that reflect the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of everyday life.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is renowned for its collection of modern and contemporary art, and Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a celebrated part of its collection. The series has been exhibited at the Guggenheim several times, including a solo show in 2016.

The Guggenheim's collection includes several significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Woman with daughter)." This photograph, like others in the series, captures a moment of tenderness and vulnerability, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships and emotions.

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series | National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. is dedicated to showcasing portraits of prominent and influential figures in American history and culture. Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a notable part of its contemporary collection, as it challenges traditional notions of portraiture and expands the definition of what it means to be a "portrait."

The National Portrait Gallery's collection includes some of the most significant works from the Kitchen Table Series, such as "Untitled (Woman with daughter)." This photograph, like others in the series, captures a moment of tenderness and vulnerability, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships and emotions.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Iconic Kitchen Table Series: A Reflection of Black Femininity and Domestic Life

carrie mae weems kitchen table national gallery

Exploring the Kitchen Table Series

Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series has become a renowned and beloved collection of photographs, capturing intimate and powerful moments of domestic life. Originally exhibited in 1990 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the series has since been displayed in numerous galleries and museums around the world, solidifying Weems' position as one of the most influential artists of our time.

The Power of the Kitchen Table

The kitchen table serves as the central setting for Weems' photographs, a space traditionally associated with the domestic and the feminine. However, Weems' portrayal of the kitchen table goes beyond its functional purpose and examines its symbolic significance in relation to black womanhood. Through her lens, the kitchen table becomes a site of empowerment, resilience, and resistance.

Unpacking Black Femininity

Weems' Kitchen Table Series challenges traditional notions of black femininity, often portrayed in mainstream media as hypersexualized or subservient. Instead, Weems presents a diverse and complex representation of black women, celebrating their strength, beauty, and agency. Each photograph in the series highlights a different aspect of domestic life, from cooking and cleaning, to intimate moments with loved ones, all while showcasing the multifaceted identities of black women.

A Timeless Reflection

Despite being created over 30 years ago, the Kitchen Table Series remains relevant and powerful today. It continues to spark important conversations about race, gender, and domesticity, and serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of black women. Weems' photographs have become a timeless reflection of the complexities and beauty of black femininity and domestic life, making the Kitchen Table Series a must-see for anyone interested in art, culture, and social commentary.

Inspiring House Design

Beyond its cultural significance, the Kitchen Table Series also serves as a source of inspiration for house design. Weems' photographs showcase the beauty and potential of domestic spaces, encouraging us to see the kitchen table not just as a functional piece of furniture, but as a symbol of warmth and togetherness. In a world where our homes have become even more important in light of the pandemic, the Kitchen Table Series reminds us of the importance of creating welcoming and empowering spaces within our own homes.

In Conclusion

Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series at the National Gallery is a must-see for art enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring the intersection of race, gender, and domesticity. Through her powerful and thought-provoking photographs, Weems challenges societal norms and celebrates the strength and beauty of black women. And for those looking for inspiration in house design, the Kitchen Table Series offers a unique perspective on the potential of domestic spaces.