01/22/2026
First Look: Recent Acquisitions to the Collection on view through Feb 8.
Here we feature the incomparable artistry of Mary Jackson, internationally recognized master of sweetgrass basketry and 2008 MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient. Both an artist and entrepreneur, Jackson championed her work through decades of travel to major craft shows, including the American Craft Council, gaining national recognition by the mid-1970s.
In this featured work, Jackson blends innovation with tradition. Each stitch remains meticulously spaced and symmetrical, an homage to the classical Gullah tradition of coiled basketry practiced in the Lowcountry for more than 350 years. Rooted in techniques brought from West Africa and passed down through generations, Jackson’s baskets are celebrated for their sculptural beauty and unsurpassed craftsmanship.
First Look celebrates twenty-four new works added to the Gibbes’ permanent collection since January 2024 through gifts, bequests, and purchases. On view for the first time are recent acquisitions including more sweetgrass baskets by Mary Jackson, photographs by Susan Meiselas, and paintings by Purvis Young and Reynier Llanes, highlighting the evolving story of Charleston, the American South, and American art.
Image credit:
Low basket with handles, ca. 2000 by Mary Jackson (American, b. 1945). Sweetgrass, pine needles, and palmetto. Gift of Marcia Doctor with love.