Bandbox c. 1937

Gilbert Sackerman’s ‘Bandbox’ is a design on paper; a flurry of decorative shapes, possibly gouache. It’s like Sackerman is thinking aloud here, working through a process. What strikes me is the almost Matisse-like flatness, despite all the detail. The ground is this intense yellow, almost acidic, and the brown and pink floral patterns are laid on top. The paint looks thin and watery, staining the page as the forms dance and weave. The real fun for me is the bottom of the bandbox, where Sackerman plays with a frieze of pink and white shapes. The paint here is thicker, pastier, with little bumps and ridges you can almost feel. It's like he’s saying, "Here's the detail; now let's play!" It reminds me of the work of someone like outsider artist Bill Traylor, who was working at a similar time, finding pure visual delight in simple materials. It’s a refreshing reminder that art is a space of open possibility.