Key Member 1967

Richard Artschwager made this painted object called "Key Member". It's kind of a funny thing because the object is jutting out from the architecture like it's trying to escape! I imagine Artschwager playing with how painting can invade space, becoming almost architectural itself. Look at the texture. It's like he's trying to mimic wood grain or maybe even marble, but with these swirling, almost psychedelic patterns. What was he thinking about as he created this? Was he trying to mess with our perception, to make us question what's real and what's not? I think his work sits between painting and sculpture and it reminds me of the work of Jasper Johns who was also interested in everyday objects. Ultimately, artists riff off each other across time, sparking new ideas and ways of seeing. Artschwager's "Key Member" isn't just an object; it's an invitation to play, to question, and to see the world a little differently.