Untitled (After Nature: Tree Trunks) 1959

Charlotte Posenenske made this drawing, Untitled (After Nature: Tree Trunks), using ink on paper. She applied broad strokes of diluted black ink to create the impression of tree trunks. The ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating soft edges, and also spatters, suggesting movement, or the rough texture of bark. The composition is sparse, almost like a diagram or sketch. Posenenske was deeply engaged with the social and political context of art-making. Although she worked with traditional artistic materials here, her wider practice also included industrial materials. Her best-known works involve modular forms that could be serially produced. She was interested in challenging the traditional role of the artist as a unique creator. Her work often reflected an interest in the conditions of labor, and the democratizing potential of mass production. Ultimately, Posenenske abandoned art altogether, opting to focus on sociology. This turn reflects her commitment to enacting social change, beyond the confines of the art world.