Bandbox Paper c. 1937

This bandbox paper was made by Martin Partyka, though we don’t know exactly when. Imagine Partyka layering blues, pinks, and greens, one on top of the other, building the scene. I love the way he’s handled the pink snakes here. They’re kind of cartoonish, but also menacing, and the way they wrap around the trees makes them feel alive. I wonder what Partyka was thinking as he put the final touches on this piece? Did he see the humor in it, or was he trying to make a more serious statement about the dangers of the jungle? Or was he just trying to make a buck? The whole thing reminds me of Matisse, or maybe even Gauguin, with its bold colors and simplified forms. It’s like Partyka is in conversation with all these other artists, riffing on their ideas and making something new. Painting isn’t a solo act, it’s a conversation across time. And that conversation, that’s what keeps it interesting.