Blue-Chip Blue #1 1974

Perle Fine made this relief sculpture, Blue-Chip Blue #1, from painted wood. It has an appealing simplicity, but let’s think about the labor involved in its making. The process begins with carpentry, shaping and assembling the wooden support. Fine skillfully built up the composition from different planes. See the way the shapes lift off the surface, creating shadows? This adds depth, a tactile quality, and a sense of understated drama. Then, of course, there is the application of the monochromatic blue. Notice how the paint both unites the composition and emphasizes the shifts in relief. This is not just "decoration;" it is a commitment to material. The "blue-chip" in the title could be a reference to the high value of the lumber used in the production. Ultimately, Fine asks us to appreciate the artwork not just as a visual experience, but as a product of considerable hand work. This piece challenges any rigid divide between art and craft.