Artworks

Magnificent Monkey-Ass Lies, 2004

<p>Wangechi Mutu, <em>Magnificent</em> <em>Monkey</em>-<em>Ass</em> <em>Lies, </em>2004. Paint, ink, collage, and mixed media on Mylar. 78 x 42 in. Studio Museum in Harlem; Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee and a gift from Jerome Stern, New York<br />2004.13.4</p>
  • Artist

    Wangechi Mutu

  • Title

    Magnificent Monkey-Ass Lies

  • Date

    2004

  • Medium

    Paint, ink, collage, and mixed media on Mylar

  • Dimensions

    78 x 42 in. (198.1 x 106.7 cm) Frame: 82 1/4 x 45 7/8 in. (208.9 x 116.5 cm)

  • Credit line

    The Studio Museum in Harlem; Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee and a gift from Jerome Stern, New York

  • Object Number

    2004.13.4

Wangechi Mutu focuses on the misrepresentation of women's bodies and the stripping of their sexual autonomy in contemporary African politics and culture. Her work often centers around amorphous female figures whose suggestive poses relate to the racialized sexism and exoticism imposed on African women. Here, a chimeric woman-animal with talons for feet gazes at a feathered monkey, which perches on her hand and smiles at her coyly. They are set against a blank background, save for occasional spurts of blood-pink paint, and it is unclear which figure holds the power.


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Artworks

Magnificent Monkey-Ass Lies, 2004

<p>Wangechi Mutu, <em>Magnificent</em> <em>Monkey</em>-<em>Ass</em> <em>Lies, </em>2004. Paint, ink, collage, and mixed media on Mylar. 78 x 42 in. Studio Museum in Harlem; Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee and a gift from Jerome Stern, New York<br />2004.13.4</p>
  • Artist

    Wangechi Mutu

  • Title

    Magnificent Monkey-Ass Lies

  • Date

    2004

  • Medium

    Paint, ink, collage, and mixed media on Mylar

  • Dimensions

    78 x 42 in. (198.1 x 106.7 cm) Frame: 82 1/4 x 45 7/8 in. (208.9 x 116.5 cm)

  • Credit line

    The Studio Museum in Harlem; Museum purchase with funds provided by the Acquisition Committee and a gift from Jerome Stern, New York

  • Object Number

    2004.13.4

Wangechi Mutu focuses on the misrepresentation of women's bodies and the stripping of their sexual autonomy in contemporary African politics and culture. Her work often centers around amorphous female figures whose suggestive poses relate to the racialized sexism and exoticism imposed on African women. Here, a chimeric woman-animal with talons for feet gazes at a feathered monkey, which perches on her hand and smiles at her coyly. They are set against a blank background, save for occasional spurts of blood-pink paint, and it is unclear which figure holds the power.


Explore further