Adrian Piper. What Will Become of Me. 1985, ongoing

Adrian Piper What Will Become of Me 1985, ongoing

  • MoMA, Floor 2, 206 The David Geffen Wing

In the 1980s Piper’s interests in systemic oppression, racism, and social justice took a contemplative and self-referential direction. What Will Become of Me consists of twelve honey containers filled with the artist’s hair and two smaller jars holding bits and pieces of fingernails and dried skin, arranged as reliquaries on a wooden shelf. Completing the work are two typewritten documents that provide context for these artifacts: one a recountal of personal trauma, and the other a statement of intent on what becomes of the work upon the death of the artist.

Gallery label from 2020
Medium
Framed text, glass jars, shelf, hair, fingernails, and skin
Dimensions
Dimensions variable
Credit
Gift of Gwen and Peter Norton
Object number
1143.2011.a-e
Copyright
© 2023 Adrian Piper
Department
Painting and Sculpture

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