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Captain America

Artist
Mark Newport, American, born 1964
Date
2007
Material
Acrylic yarn and buttons with wooden hanger
made in
Mesa, Arizona, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Mixed media
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art
Current Location
Not on view
Dimensions
75 × 21 x 2 in. (190.5 × 53.3 x 5.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons; and funds given by the Marian Cronheim Trust for Prints and Drawings, Museum Purchase, Friends Endowment Fund, The Sidney S. and Sadie Cohen Print Purchase Fund, and the Eliza McMillan Purchase Fund
Rights
© Mark Newport, Courtesy of Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle and Duane Reed, St. Louis
Object Number
754:2020
NOTES
Captain America, a World War II-era superhero, fights enemies of democracy. Portrayed as an empty, sagging hand-knit textile, however, this work contradicts superhero attributes of invincibility and power. The artist explains, “I work to forge a link between childhood experience and my adult exploration of protection, masculinity, and heroism.” Since 2003 Mark Newport has knitted nearly 40 superhero costumes, which he sometimes wears for photo shoots. He invents many characters, such as “Sweaterman,” but also represents well-known comic book legends.

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