Hawai'ian Dancer c. 1936

Cornelia MacIntyre Foley created this print, "Hawai'ian Dancer," using stark contrasts of black ink on paper. The bold linework captures a dancer adorned with leis, set against a backdrop of lush foliage. The print vibrates with a sense of movement and exoticism, doesn't it? Foley's composition here is particularly interesting. The use of stark black and white creates a powerful visual impact, focusing our attention on the figure's dynamic pose. The patterns and textures, achieved through the printmaking process, give the image a tactile quality. This tension between the flat surface of the print and the illusion of depth invites us to consider how Foley is playing with representation. The print cleverly engages with the viewer’s perception, as it is not just a depiction of a Hawaiian dancer, but also a study in contrasts and textures. This artwork challenges our understanding of what it means to represent movement and culture through a two-dimensional medium.