2 paper bags, graphite and stamp on glass
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
ARTIST ROOMS
National Heritage Memorial Fund
Art Fund
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/joseph-beuys-747" aria-label="More by Joseph Beuys" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Joseph Beuys</a>
Facing Stars
ARTIST ROOMS
Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008
bag
Celtic
ethnicity
individuals: male
Joyce, James
named individuals
objects
people
portraits
vessels and containers
relief 2 paper bags graphite stamp glass
Facing the Stars
unconfirmed: 810 × 480 × 50 mm
support (left): 186 × 127 mm
support (right): 187 × 127 mm
<a href="/search?gid=999999788" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">ARTIST ROOMS</a>
Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the <a href="/search?gid=999999967" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">National Heritage Memorial Fund</a> and the <a href="/search?gid=999999968" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">Art Fund</a> 2008
<p>Beuys was interested in the history and culture of the Celtic countries, and made several visits to Scotland and Ireland. The paper bags used in this relief may have been picked up by the artist during his 1974 trip to Ireland, in connection with the exhibition of his group of drawings, 'The Secret Block for a Secret Person in Ireland'. Critics believe James Joyce to be the 'Secret Person' to whom the work is addressed, as Beuys was a lifelong fan of the Irish writer. The iron frame used for this work may have been chosen by the artist due to the metal's strong connection with the earth as well as the bloodstream.</p>

Online caption
2009-04-16T00:00:00
online-caption
ONLINE_CAPTION
bag Celtic ethnicity individuals: male Joyce, James named individuals objects people portraits vessels and containers