Face Jugs

Communicating Important Ideas

(Identity and Cultural Contributions)

Content Objectives

• History & Culture: Students will understand contributions of African Americans to American clay and folk art traditions within the context of slavery and oppression of cultural identity.

• Criticism & Aesthetics: Students will analyze and make judgments regarding how form follows function within the creation and use of face jugs.

• Production: Students will use knowledge of clay and art elements and principles to create a face jug that reflects an aspect of personality that is often suppressed.

Language Objectives

• Use combination note strategies to record notes about background information and processes in art journal for later reference.

• Students will write a one page artist statement demonstrating knowledge of art history, aesthetics and production and how it connects to the choices made to complete the finished product.

QuestionsPartner Discussion: Building Background

What do you know about the responsibilities and working conditions of African slaves working on Southern plantations?

Who are African Americans who have made contributions to American art?

African ContributionsWithin the Context of Slavery

• African slaves made pottery and bricks for use on the plantation.

• Storage and face jugs are a folk tradition that developed out of various needs

• May reflect complex responses of people attempting to live and maintain their personal identities under harsh conditions.

A Famous Slave Potter

Slave Potter Dave

• DOB: c. 1800

• Edgefield, South Carolina

• Literate (could read and write); a typesetter?

• Owned by a newspaper publisher

• Created large jugs with rebellious sayings

• No documentation that he made face jugs

• Much strength and skill (several feet tall and 100 lbs.)

An Example

Front: "When you fill this jar with pork or beef/Scot will be there to get a piece."

Back: (meant as a gift) the dedication "This jar is to Mr. Segler who keeps the bar in Orangeburg/ for Mr. Edwards a Gentleman who fmrly [formerly] kept Mr. Thos [Thomas] Bacon’s horses."

Dave’s Other Poems

"I saw a leopard and a lion's face / then I felt the need of grace" - August 7, 1860 - Here, Dave may have been referencing the Bible, a dream, or stories passed down by older African ancestors.

"Put every bit all between / surely this jar will hold 14" - July 12, 1834 - This rhyming couplet, perhaps Dave's first, makes reference to the size of the piece on which it was written. When well packed, the jar could hold up to fourteen gallons.

"Dave belongs to Mr. Miles / Where the oven bakes and the pot biles [boils]" - July 31, 1840 - Here, Dave made reference to then-owner, Lewis Miles. Dave may have had as many as five owners.

"I wonder where is all my relations / Friendship to all and every nation" - April 16, 1857 - This piece alludes to the buying and selling of members of a slave family.

Other Responses to Maintain Identity

African Ancestor Worship

• Ancestors revered and worshipped• Combined with Christianity and other religious

forms.• Acquired the belief in the devil.• Ugly face jugs needed to be ugly enough to scare

the devil away from the grave in order for the soul to go to heaven

• Cracks on grave markers = battle between soul and devil

Grave Marker

American

(Randolph County, NC)

Grave Marker for Nancy J. Williamson

salt-glazed stoneware, 1896

Ackland Art Museum

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Historical Responses to Face Jugs

• Before 1960’s:

considered primitive art.• After 1960’s:

Increased interest in African American History

Increased awareness of African American contributions

Jim McDowell Contemporary African American Pottery

http://www.blackpotter.com/FaceJugArchives.html

Other Historical Contexts

Connection to Prohibition

• Appalacian Moonshine

• Burlon Craig

• Used to store whiskey

• Ugly features used to scare children away from sneaking a taste.

Quillan Lanier Meaders

Meaders Family Pottery est. 1893

glazed stoneware and stones

9 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 8 1/8 in. (23.5 x 21.6 x 20.5 cm)

Evan Javan Brown, Sr.

Brown’s Pottery

1897-1980

Teeth made from pieces of a broken plate

Thick black glaze to emphasize ugly features.

Some Contemporary Artists

Turkey Creek Pottery

Ron Dee Clayworks

The Process

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Step 11

Step 12 & 13

Step 14 & 15

Assessment (50 points)

Idea Development:

Originality/Voice:

Elements & Principles:

Craftsmanship (Form):

Craftsmanship (Surface):

Other Potters

• http://www.kingspottery.com/otherartists.htm

History of US pottery industry

• http://franksullivanpottery.com/FaceJugHistory.aspx