Interpretations of historical artifacts in Enabling Artistries: Displays of 19th Century Creativity, Disability and Freedom

Curated by Laurel Daen, Marianne Petit, Roxane Pickens, and Elizabeth Verrelli
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, New York University, NYC. October 15 – December 15, 2024

Interpretations were digitally embroidered on Yupo paper.

An intricate papercut of birds, flowers, and the text of the Lords' Prayer with silk embroidered flowers around the perimeter
Martha Ann Honeywell’s The Lord’s Prayer, 1845, a beige paper cut-out laid on black, light blue, and purple papers, pierced with a pin and stitched in silk (New-York Historical Society)
Extreme closeup of embroidered tactile interpretation of The Lords' Prayer. The cut paper and layers are evident.
Detail of Embroidered Tactile Interpretation of Martha Ann Honeywell’s The Lord’s Prayer, 1845
Embroidered tactile interpretation of The Lord's Prayer, stitched in dark blue thread on white paper.
Tactile Interpretation of Martha Ann Honeywell’s The Lord’s Prayer
A silhouette of a man's head, profile facing left. Below the silhouette is written by hand, "Moses Williams, cutter of profiles"
Hollow-cut silhouette on paper by Raphaelle Peale or Moses Williams, Circa 1803. Library Company of Philadelphia.
Tactile graphic of Moses Williams silhouette, embroidered in black thread on white paper
Tactile Interpretation of Moses Williams silhouette. Digital Embroidery on Paper.
Detail of tactile graphic of Moses Williams silhouette, embroidered in black thread on white paper. Side angle close-up, featuring a lock of his hair curling over the forehead, his eyelash, nose and mouth. The silhouette has a heavy stitched outline and a filled stitch interior.
Detail, Tactile Interpretation of Moses Williams silhouette. Digital Embroidery on Paper.