Name/Title
Earth Mother by Barbara PaxtonEntry/Object ID
2025.15.01Description
Unstretched acrylic painting on canvas depicting a woman with brown, wavy hair holding a gourd. The woman is surrounded by two silhouettes of people building a house, goats climbing on a roof of a coop, white chickens in a yard and a sleeping dog.Type of Painting
EaselContext
An example of the African- and indigenous-American-inspired artworks of multi-disciplinary artist Barbara Paxton. Locally, Paxton's work was exhibited at Open Door Music, All Saints Church, and Marsha Perry's Ark Gallery.
According to her obituary, Paxton, studied at Kalamazoo College and Pratt Institute. Her master's thesis "spanned the connections between African art and South American traditions." Her second master's degree focused on Native American art history.
"She made three extended trips to West Africa, first serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, and in the Vista program in the Virgin Islands. She then returned as a research assistant to an anthropologist, trekking into the bush to study Mende culture, and then once again in the Peace Corps." (see Paxton's person profile for the complete obituary text)Collection
ArtworksCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2025.15Source or Donor
McCord, SindyAcquisition Method
Donation, unconditionalMade/Created
Artist
Paxton, Barbara King 1945-2024Date made
1970Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Signature, DateLocation
Lower right corner following dog's tailTranscription
B. Paxton 1970.Dimensions
Dimension Description
canvas 43x40 inchesHeight
39 inWidth
35 inLocation
Shelf
AC bay 09Room
Art Conservation RoomCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodNotes
The painting was rolled and off square when received. No signs of cracking or paint detaching from the canvas. The un-primed canvas margins are uneven and the bottom edge is challenging narrow for stretching.General Notes
Note
An watercolor in collection, 2022.03.15 "Yemonja water spirit," depicting an African mythological character may have been created or collected by Barbara PaxtonNote
https://artfacts.net/artist/barbara-paxson/289710
Barbara Paxson is a female artist.
Barbara Paxson’s only verified exhibition was Ornament Fundraiser at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, IL in 2004. Barbara Paxson is exclusively exhibited in United States. Paxson has at least no solo shows but one group show (for more information, see exhibitions). Barbara Paxson has been exhibited with Sarah Hauser and Rachel Slick.
Paxson’s best rank was in 2004, with the most dramatic change in 2015.Create Date
April 29, 2025Update Date
May 21, 2025
