Mescalero Apache Devil Dance c. 1946

Anna Barry made this linocut, Mescalero Apache Devil Dance, sometime in the 20th century. The colors are laid down in flat planes, like a dye that’s been pressed into the paper, which gives the whole scene a feeling of immediacy. Looking closely, I can see the slight imperfections of the linocut process; the areas where the ink is not quite solid, or where the pressure has left a slight texture. Those rough spots are where the magic lives, like a record of the artist’s hand. I’m really drawn to the way Barry uses color, especially the contrast between the ochre of the dancers' skin and the blue of the background. It’s a striking combination that amplifies the drama and energy of the dance. Check out the way the star is laid on the dancer's body, almost like a tattoo, using a pale blue that feels ghostly. The way Barry simplifies forms reminds me of some of the earlier German Expressionists, like Emil Nolde, who were also interested in the expressive power of folk art. This piece embodies a kind of art that embraces ambiguity, inviting us to engage with it on multiple levels, both visually and emotionally.