Apricot Ripple 1968

Gene Davis created 'Apricot Ripple' using vertical stripes of color. Davis was working in Washington D.C. at a time when the city was becoming a center of new trends in abstraction. His work fits within a broader cultural context where artists and institutions were questioning the established norms of painting. Davis’ stripes create visual interest through their varying widths and colors. These choices push against the traditional art world's emphasis on depth and representation, instead exploring the pure experience of color. His art was associated with the Washington Color School, a group of artists who moved away from gestural painting, emphasizing large fields of pure color. To fully appreciate Davis' contributions, it’s important to look at the archives of galleries and museums that supported this kind of work, as well as the writings of art critics who helped to shape its reception. By understanding these social and institutional dynamics, we can better understand Davis' innovative approach to art making.