Blueprint Reconstructed I (New Era series)

Painting

-

HCC Permanent Art Collection

Name/Title

Blueprint Reconstructed I (New Era series)

Entry/Object ID

2025.2.1

Description

Two embroidered figures meld into one another in the foreground with blue and yellow acrylic paint in the background

Made/Created

Artist

Nneka Jones

Date made

2023

Notes

Nneka Jones is a contemporary multidisciplinary artist who enjoys working in mixed media, embroidery, textiles and paint exploring both large-scale mural work and small-scale, intimate pieces. The Trinidadian born artist produces thought-provoking artwork that comments on social and environmental injustice; strongly advocating for the protection of women and young girls. Her unique hand embroidery work has been featured in TIME Magazine, Forbes, Colossal magazine, The Jealous Curator blog, The American Craft Council, Embroidery Mag UK and Domestika. With permanent collections in the City of Tampa, Florida Craft Art Gallery, Ferman Art Center and Tampa Museum of Art, Jones continues to broaden her professional practice and break barriers at an early stage in her career as an inspiration to other young aspiring artists.

Location

Category

Circulation Desk

Web Links and URLs

website, wiki page

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Didactic

Label

Nneka Jones (b. 1997) Blueprint Reconstructed I (New Era series), 2023 punch needle embroidery and acrylic on canvas 40 x 30 in. Gift of the artist, 2025.2.1 Trinidad-born artist Nneka Jones is a University of Tampa graduate known for her powerful mixed media and embroidered portraits advocating for women and girls of color. In Blueprint Reconstructed I, Jones positions two women in the center of the composition, using loose outlines of black thread to imply contour and depth set against a neutral blue background. The overlapping figures stare out boldly at the viewer, their heads surrounded by a yellow oval that creates a halo-like effect and imparts a sense of reverence or importance. The word “blueprint” may serve as a metaphor for identity—mapping inherited traditions, values and histories. However, through the act of reconstruction, the artist invites viewers to imagine identity as a foundation that can be traced, examined and reinterpreted within a larger cultural framework. This work of art is a part of the HCC Permanent Art Collection. Through its Campus Loan Outreach Program, HCC Art Galleries seek to share original works by collecting a diversity of art for the education and enjoyment of the HCC community.