Sister Polly Jane Reed's drawing of the house of Holy Mother Wisdom contains a large blue eye, a tree, and a cosmos of rainbow shapes, emphasizing the Shakers' unique and mystical art.
The exhibition showcases 21 Shaker gift drawings from a collection of about 200 known, created by 19th-century women who served as 'instruments' to convey spiritual visions.
Shaker drawings, often passed as gifts, reflect a community ethos where visionaries were seen as conduits for divine messages, rather than traditional artists.
Despite their rich visual output, Shaker literature remains largely silent on gift drawings, raising questions about their recognition and the cultural priorities of the Shaker community.
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