Spider Lady

Eldren M. Bailey

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Photo: Stephen Pitkin/Pitkin Studio

1960s

Paint, wood, and wood putty on wood with painted wood frame

32.5 x 26.5 x 3.75 inches

Collection of

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Museum purchase and gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation

Description

Two sculptures, Beware and Spider Lady, are of special interest. Both of these are “dangerous” women: Beware places a serpent around the woman’s waist; Spider Lady’s arms and legs are switched. Like My Chulluns, both pieces sexualize “Eve” in order to ruminate on a number of issues, from idolatry (Beware is gilded; Spider Lady is glossily ebony), to the craving to fix origins (the Christian Edenic myth of Beware and the African earth mother, Spider Lady), and the effects of objectification of women (the snake may strike the woman, while Spider Lady is pinned down).