Stand and Be Counted

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on August 18, 2013 at 12:54pm

Curator’s Comments:  

 

These solidly packed full paintings are almost quilt like, with patterned elements and text functioning as formal counterpoints to the bold color blocking.  I see many of them as inspired by Faith Ringgold or Romare Bearden, particularly if they have an Afro-centric motif.  Stand and Be Counted is among my favorites, as it nicely weaves together past and present political giants.  I like the central positioning of President Obama, and the hierarchical manipulation of scale; as he’s larger than his followers more by rank than distance, and the swell of the crowd seems to build above him rather than behind him.  The graphic signage, blue sky and clouds in the top of the picture place also effectively balance the strong emphasis on the recognizable portraits below.  I’m a little bothered by the slightly blurry left side of the image, and am hoping that’s an issue with photography rather than the piece itself.  The painting titled Artist and Model is also an effective piece in the tradition of self portraits of artists at work. The slightly more open space works wonderfully with the minor aerial perspective; we are a witness to this scene, rather than a front row participant, as in many of the others.