Mouth & Toes: The World of 19th Century (Performative) Silhouette Artists with Disabilities is an illustrated and animated hybrid book, to be completed through a Jay and Deborah Last Creative Artist Fellowship at the American Antiquarian Society. The book tells the stories of the performative world of disabled and atypically figured artists working in the very popular and affordable alternative to portraiture, the silhouette. Artists include Martha Ann Honeywell, Sarah Rogers, and Nellis Saunders. The book will also explore the role of the Peale Museum, the physiognotrace, and the work of Moses Williams, former slave of Charles Peale and master silhouette artist. The final form(s) will include a handmade illuminated moving panorama as well as an animated downloadable eBook. The book is being developed in collaboration with historian Laurel Daen.
Books Based on Fellowship Research
