Jae Jarrell (born in 1935, Cleveland, USA) is a sculptor, painter and fashion designer. Jae became involved in the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) in the mid-1960sin her boutique on the south side of Chicago, which created the Wall of Respect mural in 1967. With her husband Wadsworth Jarrell, Jae opened a small gallery below their home and studio, which hosted live jazz, exhibitions, and many early meetings of the Black artist collective later known as AFRICOBRA. Jae created groundbreaking wearable artworks that interpreted the ideas of the group, as well as developed methods of translating Black positivity into fashion.
Works
Jae Jarrell at AGYU
Location: Art Gallery of York University (AGYU)
Disrupting the boundaries between sculpture and fashion, Jarrell’s wearable artworks merge Black liberation politics with art and design. In 1969, she made what eventually became one of her best known works: Revolutionary Suit. Constructed of grey tweed, the suit featured a bright yellow suede bandolier (bullet belt), its slots filled…
Jae Jarrell at 259 Lake Shore Blvd E
Location: 259 Lake Shore Blvd East
Disrupting the hierarchy between art and fashion, Jarrell’s wearable artworks merge Black liberation politics and art. After producing her debut collection in 1963, Jarrell went on to co-found the influential art collective AFRICOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) in 1968. Her best known works include Revolutionary Suit (1969)—a garment…
Programs
Artist Talk with Jae Jarrell
Location: Art Gallery of York University (AGYU)
Artist and AFRICOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) co-founder Jae Jarrell discusses her wearable artworks and sculptures, which embody the future-facing strengths and struggles of Chicago’s vital Black Arts Movement. Image Credit: Jae Jarell, “Dahomey Ensemble,” 1973/2018, suede, appliqued leather, and woven leather, variable dimensions. Courtesy of the artist and…