Art Theory Text with Sketches c. 1955

Curator: This drawing, by Stuart Davis, is titled "Art Theory Text with Sketches." It appears to be a study of form, likely related to his broader theories. Editor: It feels almost like a deconstruction of signage, raw and conceptual. The bold lettering combined with the skeletal shapes evokes a sense of mid-century urban grit. Curator: Davis was deeply engaged with the socio-political climate; the influence of commercial signage and jazz music on his work cannot be understated. Consider how that era's burgeoning consumer culture might intersect with his visual language here. Editor: I see it too. But maybe more than consumption, it’s about the artist trying to create new forms and new languages to express a changing world. The sketches almost become a visual manifesto, challenging traditional modes of representation. Curator: It does feel like a personal, even urgent visual notation. Thanks for that insight. Editor: And thanks for bringing up the social and political context. It gives so much depth.