Clam Diggers 1959

Karl Knaths made this painting, Clam Diggers, with oil on canvas. You can see how the material influences the appearance of the work. The thick oil paint is applied in bold strokes, creating a textured surface that catches the light. Knaths was interested in how we experience the world, and you can see in the way the forms are depicted here: with a focus on the shapes and colors that make up the scene, rather than trying to create a realistic image. These figures are abstracted, almost geometric, and they are rendered with an expressive brush. The visible brushstrokes emphasize the labor involved in painting. In this way, the painting resonates with the labor it depicts: the clam diggers themselves. The painting asks us to consider the relationship between manual labor, artistic practice, and the materials that connect them. It is a meditation on how artistic expression can be rooted in the everyday experiences of working people.