Untitled from the On the Bowery portfolio 1969

Charles Hinman made this striking print, Untitled from the On the Bowery portfolio, using bold colors and simple geometric forms. The parallelogram, with its sharp angles and receding perspective, reminds us of portals and frames we see echoed throughout art history. The arrangement of colors—orange, pink, white, blue, pink—calls to mind flags and national emblems. Flags have served as potent symbols of identity, unity, and conflict since ancient times. We find them in medieval heraldry, Renaissance battle scenes, and modern political rallies. Here, Hinman strips the flag down to its essence, a purely formal arrangement of color. Yet, it retains a subliminal connection to collective memory and notions of belonging. This abstraction taps into our subconscious understanding of symbols, engaging us on a deeper, less conscious level. The motif becomes a powerful force, an embodiment of identity and shared history. Though non-representational, it’s through the language of color that it echoes themes of heritage, power, and unity. In its contemporary context, it remains relevant as a reflection of our ever-evolving collective consciousness.