Totem Materia 

Here, you’re looking at Betty Parsons’s “Totem Materia.” Parsons, born in 1900, came of age during a time when women had limited opportunities in the art world, yet she became an influential figure as both an artist and a gallerist. The painting consists of vertical bands of black, white, and red, punctuated by blue rectangles. The composition suggests a series of totems, perhaps referencing indigenous art forms. Parsons was committed to representing diverse artists including Jackson Pollock, Agnes Martin, and Barnett Newman, during the postwar period. Parsons, who was openly lesbian, navigated a patriarchal art world with determination and resilience, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of American art. She said, "Painting to me is risk, and I like risk." Reflect on how Parsons challenged the status quo through her artistic vision, paving the way for future generations of women artists.