Louise Bourgeois. Polar Star (2009)

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NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION

Cat. No. 755

Polar Star

Date:: 2009

Themes:: Body Parts, Fabric Works, Figures, Nature, Objects
Techniques:: Digital, Drypoint
Description:: Fabric collage, with 16 compositions: 15 digital prints and 1 drypoint (with watercolor additions), and stitching
Dimensions:: overall: 63 x 33 1/2" (160 x 85.1 cm)
Signature:: "LB" right lower margin of drypoint, stitched in brown thread; "LB" right lower margin of overall sheet, stitched in brown thread.
Publisher:: The artist
Printer:: Dyenamix, New York,
Harlan & Weaver, New York
Edition:: Unique
Edition Information:: The collage elements of this work are printed compositions. They are described here and seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below.

Center: "Male," 2009. Drypoint, with blue watercolor additions.
This is 1 of 3 known impressions of the only known state of this composition, and the only known impression of this composition on fabric.

The stars in each of the 3 compositions above the clock, and in each of the 12 compositions that surround "Male," are derived from the editioned work, "Les Étoiles," 2009. The stars were enlarged digitally and incorporated in the work seen here, as well as in "You are My Polar Star," "The Long Night," and "The Long Night II" all completed in 2009. See Related Works in the Catalogue below.
Background:: This fabric collage is one of eight unique fabric clock works Bourgeois made, all in 2009, which incorporate various compositions printed on fabric. The other seven are included in Related Works in the Catalogue below.

According to the Louise Bourgeois Studio, "Self Portrait," 2009 is the first such work Bourgeois made (see the seventh work in Related Works in the Catalogue below).
Curatorial Remarks:: The 16 compositions incorporated in this fabric collage are printed on individual fabric sheets and stitched onto the overall fabric sheet.

The clock's numbers were digitally printed on fabric by Dyenamix, New York, and stitched onto the overall sheet.

The drypoint and the overall fabric sheet have light staining or scorching as is commonly found in the old fabrics Bourgeois chose to use as printing surfaces.

This work is not in MoMA’s Collection and could not be catalogued in person.