Radiant Ellipse 2-65 1965

Edna Andrade created this striking geometric painting using acrylic on canvas. It's not exactly traditional, but she employs these materials to create a dizzying effect. Andrade’s work shares qualities with textile design and the precision of industrial diagrams. You can see her engagement with the mid-century ethos of mass production and the impact of graphic design, and how everyday life can transform artistic creation. The mesmerizing optical effect emerges from the artist’s precise arrangement of colors and shapes. While appearing almost mechanically produced, each line and form relies on Andrade’s skilled hand. The hard-edged shapes and clean lines of the radiant ellipse contrast with the labor-intensive process of precisely painting each section, layer upon layer. It is a slow and meditative process. Paying close attention to materials, making, and context helps us appreciate the skill and labor involved in such works, revealing how “fine art” is deeply intertwined with the aesthetics and histories of craft and design.