Jack Whitten Went Hard in the Paint
Briefly

Jack Whitten, known for his innovative tesserae paintings, transformed abstraction into a soulful medium. His studio practices involved layering paint, manipulating its texture, and engaging with diverse materials. Celebrated for his ability to distill the essence of personal and historical struggles, his works reflect the complexities of the civil rights movement and human emotions. The recent MOMA retrospective, showcasing pieces like 'Black Monolith II,' highlights his contribution to abstract expressionism, merging artistic exploration with deep cultural significance. Whitten's legacy is regarded as a profound exploration of unseen sounds, colors, and feelings.
Jack Whitten made it his life's mission to give abstraction soul. 'I believe that there are sounds we have not heard,' he once said.
Whitten reconciled creative impulse with historical narrative, transforming personal and collective pain into a visual language that resonates deeply with viewers.
Read at The New Yorker
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