Gumus

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on January 20, 2013 at 4:53pm

Curator’s Comment:

 

I confess to searching for ‘Gumus’ online as a clue to the oblique familiarity of these radiating mandala images.   The overlapping almond shapes on the edges and interior open tulips remind me of Pennsylvania Dutch (German) Hex signs, but the synthesis is ethnically eclectic and difficult to categorize.  On some level they remind me of traditional Polish pottery, but they alternately access contemporary design from the 60’s Op movements. But ‘Gumus’ I learned, may reference a Turkish soap character.  Either way, these pieces are visually mesmerizing in their exacting duplicity and pattern.  I particularly like the way the pale blue-grey ground helps contain the scalloped edges and obsessively detailed floral embellishments.  It holds my attention in the center even as the strong spiraling lines move outward in strong, even trajectories.  Gumus 2 is also exquisite, with more delicate tendrils of lines and spiny vine and petal shapes.  The airiness of the space is further enhanced by the saturated primary hues on the stark white ground. Very interesting work- it is both established and distinctive.