27. A Gray Day

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on February 18, 2017 at 7:27pm

Comment by Resident Curator on MondayDelete Comment

Curator’s Comment:

 

A Gray Day could easily be interpreted as commentary on the tenor of our current tumultuous political climate; at least in the emphatic display of flags and ambiguously dark interior.  It took me some time to read the textual inclusions embedded in the design of the alternating stripes.  ‘Lock and Load’ and ’We Will Prevail’ stand out as confident if not aggressively defensive postures.  I find it curious that the drawing employs formal and stylistic components usually prescribed to folk or outsider art suck as pattern and repetition, flattening of space with text, etc., and yet maintains a sophisticated understanding of design.  The bordering flags offset the achromatic interior and contain the active diagonal lines and shapes, just as they offer their own independent and swaying movement. The black organic shapes in the center suggest smoke and destruction of an urban scene, which is reinforced by the browned (simulating burned?) edges of the largest flag inset.  While the piece initially appears straightforward and graphic, longer viewing makes me wonder about the expressed patriotism.  It’s a smart work about national identity, and the ironic break of American unity.  I would love to hear your insights on the piece.

Comment by Resident Curator on February 18, 2017 at 7:26pm

Comment by Resident Curator on MondayDelete Comment

Curator’s Comment:

 

A Gray Day could easily be interpreted as commentary on the tenor of our current tumultuous political climate; at least in the emphatic display of flags and ambiguously dark interior.  It took me some time to read the textual inclusions embedded in the design of the alternating stripes.  ‘Lock and Load’ and ’We Will Prevail’ stand out as confident if not aggressively defensive postures.  I find it curious that the drawing employs formal and stylistic components usually prescribed to folk or outsider art suck as pattern and repetition, flattening of space with text, etc., and yet maintains a sophisticated understanding of design.  The bordering flags offset the achromatic interior and contain the active diagonal lines and shapes, just as they offer their own independent and swaying movement. The black organic shapes in the center suggest smoke and destruction of an urban scene, which is reinforced by the browned (simulating burned?) edges of the largest flag inset.  While the piece initially appears straightforward and graphic, longer viewing makes me wonder about the expressed patriotism.  It’s a smart work about national identity, and the ironic break of American unity.  I would love to hear your insights on the piece.