Body Blot #1

Artist Andrea Donnelly American, born 1982

Date2011

MediumHand woven cotton, dyed and painted

Dimensions77 x 108 in. (195.6 x 274.3 cm)

ClassificationsTextiles

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the William R. Roberson Jr. and Frances M. Roberson Endowed Fund for North Carolina Art

Object number2015.35.1

On View

On view

Label TextNorth Carolina–raised artist Andrea Donnelly explores the dynamic between the formulaic methods of handwoven cloth and the impulsiveness of ink in the creation of her larger-than-life images of the human body.

To create this work, an abstracted self-portrait, she photographed herself in various poses. Her interest in the inkblot effect that she creates “is not in perfect symmetry,” she explains, “but in the subtle to not-so-subtle disruption of that symmetry.” This vulnerable exploration of herself offers an intimate experience for the viewer and the artist as they both explore the form and imperfection of the human body.
[J. Dasal, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," 2022]ProvenanceCreated Richmond, VA, 2011; collection of the artist; sold to NCMA, 2015.Published ReferencesKathleen Jones, “Between Body and Mirror,” in North Carolina Literary Review no. 27 (2018), illus. (b-w) 179.
Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, Artspace Gallery, “Andrea Donnelly: Mindbody,” February 24–March 26, 2011.

Rijswijk, The Netherlands, Museum Rijswijk, “Rijswijk Textile Biennial,” June 7–September 11, 2011.

Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia Art Alliance, “Andrea Donnelly: Binary,” January 26–April 26, 2012.

Richmond, VA, True F. Luck Gallery, Visual Arts Center of Richmond, “Andrea Donnelly: Where We Meet,” September 7–October 21, 2012.

Norfolk, VA, Lorie Saunders Gallery, “Lasting Impressions,” February–March 2013.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, “Andrea Donnelly: We’ve Met Before,” August 26, 2017–January 28, 2018.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," October 7, 2022–June 5, 2023.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "Partial Figure," February 14-August 23, 2026. Object Rights Statement

The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) makes images of its collection available online to support research and scholarship and to inform and educate the public. Certain works of art, as well as the photographs of those works of art, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the NCMA. The responsibility for ascertaining whether any such rights exist and for obtaining all other necessary permissions remains with the applicant. To request images and/or permissions from the NCMA, please complete our online request form.