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Kerry James Marshall, American, born 1955; Watts 1963, 1995; acrylic and collage on canvas; 115 3/8 x 135 7/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Minority Artists Purchase Fund 190:1995; © Kerry James Marshall, Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York
This colorful, mural-sized canvas depicts Nickerson Gardens in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Artist Kerry James Marshall’s family lived there for two years after moving from Birmingham, Alabama. Marshall created Watts 1963 as part of his Garden Project, a series of five paintings that considers the irony of garden-named housing projects in Los Angeles and Chicago. The only autobiographical work of the series, Watts 1963 illustrates the artist at age eight, with his brother and sister. The children are placed under a festive banner carried by bluebirds of happiness bearing Alabama’s first state motto: “Here We Rest.” This painting reflects both the early optimism of the housing projects and the conditions of poverty, despair, and violence that eventually arose.
On view in Gallery 248
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View the gallery below to learn more about New on View works in the collection. Find the location of the objects by following the More Information link in the caption below the image and plan your visit today.
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Thomas Hart Benton, American, 1889–1975
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Hector Guimard, French, 1867–1942
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Robert Colescott, American, 1925–2009
Christina's Day Off (Down in the Dumps II) More Information -
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Inka
Dish with Handle in the Form of a Bird More Information -
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Markus Lüpertz, German, born 1941
Interior III More Information -
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Calima
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Marsden Hartley, American, 1877–1943
Driftwood on the Bagaduce More Information -
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Moche
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Kehinde Wiley, American, born 1977
Charles I More Information -
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Maija Isola, Finnish, 1927–2001
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Laura Gilpin, American, 1891–1979
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Joan Mitchell, American, 1925–1992
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Elizabeth Catlett, American (active México), 1915–2012
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Transcaucasian
Shirvan Prayer Carpet with Lattice Pattern on White Field More Information -
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Inka
Llama Figurine More Information -
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Al Loving, American, 1935–2005
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Faith Ringgold, American, born 1930
Jo Baker's Birthday More Information -
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Lucio Fontana, Italian, 1899–1968
Black Landscape (Concetto Spaziale Nero) More Information -
![Watts 1963]()
Kerry James Marshall, American, born 1955
Watts 1963 More Information
