Related Records

1. 1992.005 - Sculpture

   This untitled framed triptych by Sammie L. Nicely features three ceramic tribal mask or abstracted mask-like faces. The three masks are comprised of a palette of muted grays, blues, and whites, making for a harmonious color scheme. Their foreheads are decorated with buttons, beads, small jewels, and accessories. The masks' mouths are open slightly. The eyes are 3D circles or ovals with holes in the center. Each nose is a straight rectangular rope...

   Record Type: Object

   
2. 1994.015.001 - Sculpture

   This framed sculpture by Sammie L. Nicely depicts a foot-ball shaped mask or abstracted mask-like face. The fired clay body is multicolored brown and white, likely from pit-firing. A glossy green glaze was applied to the hair, eyes, nose, and mouth features. The sides of the face are incised with lines revealing the white clay body. The eyes are round ropes of clay on either side of the nose, a straight rope of clay leading down to the mouth. The...

   Record Type: Object

   
3. 2004.006 - Poster

   This poster features thirty-six different masks created by Sammie L. Nicely. The photos of the masks are put into a 6 by 6 grid on a white background. Below, the poster reads "Sammie Nicely" in black text. Nicely's signature is written above the I - L in "Nicely."

   Record Type: Object

   
4. 2015.006.006 - Drawing

   Framed drawing of a naked woman sitting on a red couch or sofa. She has dark brown skin and black hair that extends beyond her shoulders. Her right leg is crossed over her left leg, both legs oriented toward the couch, while her torso and head are facing forward. The couch sits on an emerald green floor. The background is comprised of gray, with two emerald green rectangles positioned in the upper-right corner. Many of the figures in the drawing ...

   Record Type: Object

   
5. 2015.006.007 - Artwork

   Framed mixed media artwork, presumably a doll, made of fabric and found objects and/or metal pieces by Sammie L. Nicely. The doll appears to be a woman wearing a dress and matching headpiece. The dress and headpiece are comprised of two alternating fabrics: one is blue and white (and appears to be hand-dyed, matching other Nicely fabric pieces in the collection), while one is an alternating orange and green pattern with small purple, swirling des...

   Record Type: Object

   
6. 2015.006.008 - Drawing

   Framed drawing of a figure wearing a large black hat or piece of headwear. The headwear is in a crescent shape facing downward toward the figure. The figure's skin is blue and yellow with distinct separations between the two colors in the form of linework and shading. The eyebrows are knitted close together or furrowed. The eyes are blue and the lips are a vivid shade of pink. The topmost portion of black clothing is also visible on the figure, c...

   Record Type: Object

   
7. 2015.006.009 - Sculpture

   This is a framed triptych of small sculptural masks. The three masks are decorated with found objects. Each mask is made of different colors and a unique blend of hues and ornamentations in the forms of beads, buttons, jewelry pieces, and various metals. The three masks are primarily blue, gray, white, green, and brown. The eyes are made of beads and/or buttons, and the masks are further decorated with nails, buttons, beads, and jewelry pieces. ...

   Record Type: Object

   
8. 2015.006.010 - Sculpture

   Framed triptych of small sculptural masks by Sammie L. Nicely. The three masks are decorated with found objects. Each mask is made of different colors and a unique blend of hues and ornamentations in the forms of beads, buttons, jewelry pieces, and various metals. The three masks are primarily beige, black, brown, white, and red. The eyes are made of beads and/or buttons, and the masks are further decorated with nails, buttons, beads, and jewelry...

   Record Type: Object

   
9. 2015.006.023 - Sculpture

   Sculpture by Sammie L. Nicely of a face and/or mask with an elongated and protruding nose, a small circular mouth, and small circular eyes. All three of these traits are commonly found in Sammie Nicely's work, in addition to the broader face/mask motif and the use of bright colors. Specifically, this sculpture features green and yellow hues in the glaze. The face is surrounded by naturally colored clay in hues of gray and beige, with dozens of te...

   Record Type: Object

   
10. 2015.006.025 - Sculpture

    Fish sculpture made by Sammie Nicely. This fish features a white/brown/gray body with deep blue details on the eye, lips, and side. This fish also features white and pink buttons on the eye and on the side (8 buttons total). There are also carved details on the fins. "NICELY TN 1989" is carved on the back, in addition to a tag that reads: "42. SAMMIE NICELY."

    Record Type: Object

    
11. 2015.006.026 - Sculpture

    Fish sculpture made by Sammie Nicely. This fish features a white/black/gray body with teal lips and a pinkish hue on the fins. There are also carved details on the eye and the fins. "NICELY TN 1985" is carved on the back.

    Record Type: Object

    
12. 2015.006.027 - Sculpture

    Fish sculpture made by Sammie Nicely. This fish features a white body and fins with blue, green, and pink details. The face is pink with teal lips. There are also carved details on the body and the fins, including textured circular indentions seen on other Nicely sculptures. "NICELY TN 1985" is carved on the back.

    Record Type: Object

    
13. 2015.006.029 - Artwork

    This is a shallow, handmade ceramic bowl or platter by Sammie L. Nicely with a painted image of trees and a sky. The image features green, brown, and black trees with an open green space in the foreground—potentially a pond or a body of water. The sky is painted pink and features blue and white hues near the top. The border of the painting is comprised of unpainted clay with small, textured, circular indentions. The bowl stands on two clay legs. ...

    Record Type: Object

    
14. 2015.006.030 - Sculpture

    Untitled small framed fish sculpture by Sammie Nicely. This fish features a white body with yellow, pink, and green spots that bleed together. The face is purple with white lips and the eye is a small red bead. The back fin is also a purple hue, almost a deep blend of red and dark blue or brown. The frame is gilded, and "nicely" is inscribed under the fish. "F 85.00" is written on the back in the top left corner.

    Record Type: Object

    
15. 2015.006.032 - Sculpture

    Sculpture of a human-like figure. The body is made of metal in a red/orange hue. The body is attached to a stained block of wood. The figure does not seem entirely attached and can rotate if handled improperly. There is a hole in the block of wood where the peg/attachment piece is visible from the bottom. This artwork is not signed, so an artist is not definitive. However, the museum currently attributes this sculpture to Sammie Nicely, as it...

    Record Type: Object

    
16. 2021.005.043 - Sculpture

    This 3D sculpture is made of steel and wood. It is figurative looking, possibly depicting a horse or an abstract female figure. The finished wooden figure is held in the air by a metal pole on top of a black steel beam or girder.

    Record Type: Object

    
17. 2021.005.048 - Bust

    This 3D clay bust is painted brown. The bust depicts an elongated face that is slightly curved toward the viewer's right side. The eyes and mouth are open. The hair is defined by incised and smoothed lines. The hair is flat on top and juts out behind in an almost wind-swept form. The torso is covered with a garment that is almost incised and smoothed with swirling lines, similar to the hair. Sammie L. Nicely was inspired by traditional Africa...

    Record Type: Object

    
18. 2021.005.049 - Mask

    This 3D clay mask is inspired by African Bobo masks. It is rectangular in shape with the lower half more rounded. The ceramic is covered in green and black glazes. The white eyes are framed with lids of small ropes of clay glazed in gray. The eyes and lids are ringed with a circle of clay that is incised with lines. The nose is a flattened rope of clay, from the forehead to mouth. The round mouth is slightly open, showing multiple bright white te...

    Record Type: Object

    
19. 2021.005.050 - Mask

    This 3D clay mask is based off of African Bobo masks. The mask depicts a face with incised details. The clay is glazed with dark and light greens. The eyes are inset within circular dark green lids. The dark green nose bisects the face and is a partially flattened rope of clay that has horizontal ridges. The forehead and cheeks are covered with small incised shapes. The closed mouth is made of partially flattened ropes of clay forming an oval sha...

    Record Type: Object

    
20. 2021.007 - Print

    A study in blue, "Bell Bottom Blues" is a print of an ink drawing with hatching and cross-hatching shading all in the same color of ink. It depicts a figure wearing a dark top and unbraided pigtails looking up toward the left side of the print. Behind the figure, there is a vertically-striped bell-bottom clad leg with a boot peaking out beneath the pant. There are abstract shapes, perhaps parts of clothing or accessories directly above the figure...

    Record Type: Object

    
21. 2022.004.001 - Pottery

    This untitled large pottery bowl by Sammie L. Nicely is covered in green glaze. The form is round by irregular with two varying textures: the top layer is indented and bumpy, the bottom layer is smooth. The interior shows coil building but the bottom half interior is smoothed. "Nicely 1980 Tenn. love" is inscribed on the bottom.

    Record Type: Object

    
22. 2022.004.002 - Pottery

    This small ceramic vessel is covered in a green-brown glaze. It is hand-built with textured slab layers and half coils that are pinched to one side. "1980 Nicely Tenn." is inscribed on bottom.

    Record Type: Object

    
23. 2022.004.003 - Vessel

    This small cylindrical terracotta vessel is covered with a beige or cream glaze. There are two brownish triangular shapes pointed downward on opposite sides of the exterior. "S.L. Nicely D.C. '75" is inscribed on the bottom.

    Record Type: Object

    
24. 2022.004.004 - Drawing

    This drawing "JC Arts Council 1982" is a black and white pastel sketch featuring a loose still life. "Sammie Nicely 1983" is inscribed on the bottom right of the sketch.

    Record Type: Object

    
25. 2022.004.005 - Vase

    This is a blown glass vase in a blue color with hues of brown and yellow accents. The bottom of the vase has what may be considered a place of damage, but it could also be a point of disconnection from the blowing rod. The piece is well done and is very symmetrical. This vase is attributed to Sammie L. Nicely, but there is no artist signature.

    Record Type: Object

    
26. 2022.004.006 - Vessel

    This is a ceramic slab vase that is in a pyramid-like shape. There are diagonal designs incised into the exterior surface. The glaze is of a brown hue. The bottom is unglazed and bears the inscription "Nicely / 1981 / TN."

    Record Type: Object

    
27. 2022.004.007 - Vessel

    This is a cylindrical ceramic vase that appears to have been hand turned and is abstract in nature. There are sections of the vase that have been indented or dimpled for the presumed purposes of a hand hold. This appears to be intentional, because there are lateral turning marks that flow through the indentions. The base and rim are symmetrical. The piece is light brown and glazed. The bottom is signed: "TN / Nicely / 1983."

    Record Type: Object

    
28. 2022.005.001 - Vest

    This blue corduroy vest was constructed by Sammie L. Nicely. Embellishments, patches, and found objects were added for decoration. Some patches are inspired by ancient Egypt, including the death mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Colorful buttons are featured around the patches.

    Record Type: Object

    
29. 2022.005.002 - Shirt

    This is a black dashiki by Sammie L. Nicely that is bleach tie-dyed with yellow screenprints of figures across the front. The print is attributed to "Olujimi." The sleeves are embellished with printed cotton fabric. It is presumed that "Olujimi" is in reference to the artist Kambui Olujimi (b. 1976), who is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist who uses installation, photography, performance, works on paper, video, and more. Olujimi's work...

    Record Type: Object

    
30. 2022.005.003 - Painting

    This oil pastel displays an upturned face and torso. The figure appears to be tilting their head to the side while also making eye contact with the viewer. The face and background are mostly blue in color. Like many of Sammie L. Nicely's ceramic masks inspired by traditional African art, the face displays a long nose from the forehead to the mouth. Whereas his ceramics have incisions, this oil pastel instead has drawn lines to mark different sect...

    Record Type: Object