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Museum object · Visual Arts

Fences

1990

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A linocut likely inspired by August Wilson’s play “Fences.” Depicted are three figures in an urban neighborhood. In the left foreground, a man and a woman face each other on porch steps leading to a small yard surrounded by other multi-storied houses. The man holds a baseball bat in one hand. Near the center of the print, is a large image of a uniformed male figure, next to another figure standing behind a fence. There are barrels sitting on the ground in the right corner, next to a vine growing up the corner of a brick building. At the top right side of the background there are clouds in the sky. The title of the print [Fences] is written in pencil on the bottom left corner with [a/p] written on the bottom center. The print is signed [James L Wells ‘90] on the bottom right corner in pencil.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2023.111.110.2

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