Untitled 1958

Howard Mehring, a significant figure in the Washington Color School movement, created this work, medium unknown, as part of his exploration of color and form. Mehring's art emerged during a period of significant social and political change. While abstract, his works are not divorced from the socio-political context of the 1960s and 70s. Consider the emotional weight of this monochrome field, particularly for those whose identities were being contested during the Civil Rights Movement. While seemingly non-representational, the subtle variations in tone evoke a sense of depth and texture. The absence of defined shapes allows viewers to project their own emotions onto the canvas. It invites a personal meditation on color and its power to evoke feeling, in a world where identities and values were in flux.