Woman #1 1975 - 1977

Dindga McCannon made this painting, titled Woman #1, without a known date, using confident strokes and a palette that feels both bold and intimate. I am struck by how McCannon builds the figure and ground through a series of flat, angular planes. There's an almost collaged effect, as if the image were pieced together from fragments of color. The browns and ochres of the figure contrast with the surrounding blues, reds, and greens, creating a dynamic tension. Look closely at the way McCannon handles the hand resting on the knee. It’s rendered with a delicate touch, a subtle modulation of tone that brings it to life. The painting seems related to the work of Lois Mailou Jones, another African American artist, who like McCannon, explored abstraction and figuration with an eye towards social and political themes. There's a sense of experimentation here, a willingness to play with form and color, that I find incredibly appealing. The painting feels alive, open to interpretation, and full of possibilities.