This one was from the Museum of Modern Art, "Patchwork Quilt", by Romare Bearden, 1970. It is cut-and-pasted cloth and paper with synthetic polymer paint on composition board. "The reclining figure at the centre of the work resembles those of Egyptian tomb reliefs and its flattened pictorial space recalls Cubist painting. The background is made from collaged fabric that the artist has assembled into a patchwork quilt, invoking a distinctive African American domestic tradition."
Also from MoMA, this is called "Sackcloth 1953" by Alberto Burri. It is made of burlap and thread on canvas.
This last one is a Paul Klee, and though it's not actually fibre, it makes me think of a traditional patchwork. "May Picture", 1925, oil on cardboard, from the Met.Also saw a few really beautiful Klimts at the Neue Gallery, but I wasn't able to photograph them, and an impressive collection of Matisse at the Jewish Museum. I love both of those artists because of their references to textiles.
It was six wonderful days of looking at art and architecture and soaking up what the city had to offer!
Sounds like a great trip. I'm intrigued by your selection of photos - the burlap one is the kind of art that leaves me a bit cold. And the Anatsui piece is stunning, yet both use discarded materials, and give me a sense of decaying society. How do the rest of you feel about the 2 pieces?
ReplyDeleteThe burlap piece was made by an Italian, born in 1915. The title, "Sackcloth 1953", reminds me of the phrase "sackcloth and ashes", i.e., penance, contrition, guilt. Is it possible the artist was reflecting on the economic and political situation of his homeland?
ReplyDelete