Directed by artist Sonya Clark, The Beaded Prayers Project is a worldwide collaborative artwork begun in 1999 comprised of over 4,000 "beaded prayers." Inspired by amulets made by people in Africa and throughout the world, the beaded prayers represent the creation and participation of individuals from 36 different countries ranging in age from 6 through 90. Each contributed piece is a sealed beaded packet containing the written wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers of the international participants. As Sonya Clark observes, "From the exquisitely crafted to the crudely stitched, each peaded packet is a unique manifestation of individual aspiration and power. Those that resemble one another on the outside no doubt have different messages sealed inside. The diversity of packets is a celebration of the unique contributions each individual has to offer. In its presentation at the Newark Museum, the exhibition is accompanied by a display of related works from the Museum's collections, including an amulet-studded hunter's tunic from Ghana, a selection of rosaries from Europe and South America, and Japanese lacquer inro."
Sonya Clark is Chair of the Department of Craft/Material Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. The presentation of The Beaded Prayers Project at the Newark Museum marks the first time the exhibition has been shown in New Jersey.
Newark Museum 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102-3176 Phone: 973-596-6550
Directed by artist Sonya Clark, The Beaded Prayers Project is a worldwide collaborative artwork begun in 1999 comprised of over 4,000 "beaded prayers." Inspired by amulets made by people in Africa and throughout the world, the beaded prayers represent the creation and participation of individuals from 36 different countries ranging in age from 6 through 90. Each contributed piece is a sealed beaded packet containing the written wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers of the international participants. As Sonya Clark observes, "From the exquisitely crafted to the crudely stitched, each peaded packet is a unique manifestation of individual aspiration and power. Those that resemble one another on the outside no doubt have different messages sealed inside. The diversity of packets is a celebration of the unique contributions each individual has to offer. In its presentation at the Newark Museum, the exhibition is accompanied by a display of related works from the Museum's collections, including an amulet-studded hunter's tunic from Ghana, a selection of rosaries from Europe and South America, and Japanese lacquer inro."