Untitled 1966

Editor: This is an Untitled mixed-media painting by Norman Lewis, created in 1966. The dominance of red is immediately striking, almost visceral. It’s both captivating and unsettling to me. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The pervasive red certainly makes a statement, doesn't it? Color often functions as a visual language. Red, in particular, has accumulated myriad associations across cultures: passion, sacrifice, danger. But observe how Lewis contrasts the solidity of the red ground with the fleeting gestures of blues, purples and whites. Do you see a tension there? Editor: Yes, definitely. The brushstrokes seem almost like fleeting figures against the solid red background. Like spirits. Curator: I find that particularly evocative in light of Lewis's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Does that context give the imagery more psychological weight, in your opinion? The fluid forms could be interpreted as a dance of freedom, or perhaps the dynamism inherent in social change, emerging from a foundation of… well, maybe oppression, or entrenched societal norms, symbolized by that ground. Editor: That makes so much sense! I hadn’t considered that the red could symbolize the structures being challenged. It adds a layer of meaning that I definitely wouldn't have seen otherwise. Thank you! Curator: Symbolism is never fixed; it shifts with time and perspective. Consider what personal resonance it holds for you, today. Editor: That’s something I will definitely take with me, thank you.