After Malevich 02 2012

Tess Jaray made this work, After Malevich 02, which refers to the earlier abstract work of the Russian artist Kazimir Malevich. The work presents a field of red and a square grid of dots. This piece prompts us to consider the way artists engage with the history of their medium. In this case, Jaray is in conversation with Malevich, who worked in Russia in the early twentieth century. He sought to reduce painting to its most basic forms, and in doing so hoped to reflect the revolutionary spirit of the time. It is important to note that Malevich’s work was later supressed by Stalinist cultural authorities. Jaray’s act of referencing Malevich can be seen as an embrace of an artistic vision that was once deemed politically unacceptable. Art historians draw on a range of sources to examine the relationship between art, culture, and power. They help us appreciate the changing meaning of artworks over time.