Woman Ironing 

Ernie Barnes' painting presents us with a moment in the daily life of an African American woman. The artist worked with oil paints to create a scene dominated by the tools of domestic labor. Barnes makes visible the labor-intensive process of ironing clothes. The materiality of textiles is front and center, from the crumpled pile in the basket to the garments she’s working on. The painting is also about the domestic sphere, with a focus on the objects involved in the creation and maintenance of textiles. The simple technology of the iron itself stands out. In contrast to the soft garments, it is solid, shaped by industrial processes. In this painting, the artist elevates this everyday activity, reminding us of the artistry inherent in even the most mundane tasks. Barnes prompts us to reconsider the cultural significance of both the final product and the value of labor.