Red Mandala 1967

Clarence Holbrook Carter made this painting, "Red Mandala," sometime during his long career. Carter was an American artist who worked through many styles, from social realism to abstraction. This image has visual echoes of both. The concentric circles and warm colors create a meditative, almost spiritual feeling, referencing the traditional mandalas used in Eastern religions as tools for focusing attention. But it’s worth considering that Carter was working in the mid-20th century, a time when abstract art was becoming increasingly popular in the West. You might ask: How does he bring that visual language to bear on the existing cultural traditions? To understand Carter's work fully, we can consult art journals, exhibition catalogs, and biographical sources. These resources help us understand the cultural forces influencing his artistic choices. The meaning of art is always shaped by the time and place in which it's made.